SPIDERS! PART THREE: THE RECLUSE SPIDERS
© Kathleen Newton
While there are at least fifty-six species of Recluse spiders found throughout the world, only thirteen species are found in the United States. Eleven of those thirteen species are native to the U.S.; the other two species were introduced from other countries.
The most widely known and recognized species of Recluse spider is the BROWN RECLUSE (Loxosceles reclusa). The Brown Recluse is also known as the "Fiddleback" or "Violin" spider due to the white violin-shaped marking upon its brown back. It's important to note that many other spider species (not necessarily venomous) also bear markings in this distinctive shape. The Brown Recluse is found primarily in the Midwest and parts of the South: from Southern Wisconsin to Ohio, and south to Central Texas and Northern Florida. The other species of Recluse spider found in the U.S. look very similar to the Brown Recluse; only a spider expert can tell the difference between the species.
Other native U.S. species of Recluse spider and their ranges:
Apache Recluse (Loxosceles apachea): Southeastern Arizona to Southern New Mexico to Western Texas.
Arizona Recluse (L. arizonica): Central and Southern Arizona to Southeastern California.
Baja Recluse (L. palma): Southern California to Northern Baja, Mexico.
Big Bend Recluse (L. blanda): Western Texas.
Desert Recluse (L. deserta): Southern and Central California to Central Arizona to Southern Nevada.
Grand Canyon Recluse (L. kaiba): Arizona's Grand Canyon area.
Martha's Recluse (L. martha): Southern California.
Russell's Recluse (L. russelli): Southern California's Death Valley area.
Texas Recluse (L. devia): Southern Texas.
Tucson Recluse (L. sabina): Tucson, Arizona area.
The following two species of Recluse spider were introduced to the U.S. from other countries:
Chilean Recluse (L. laeta): a mean-tempered spider, the Chilean Recluse was introduced to the U.S. from South America, and exists in colonies throughout Southern California. The Chilean recluse is about twice the size of most other species of Recluse spider, and its bite is particularly nasty.
Mediterranean Recluse (L. rufescens): Introduced to the U.S. from the Mediterranean area and found throughout the U.S., the bite of the Mediterranean Recluse is not as severe as bites from other species of Recluse spider.
The illness caused by Recluse spider envenomation is called LOXOSCELISM.
Bites caused by Recluse spiders typically manifest as follows:
Immediately after the bite: a large red area appears around the site of the bite.
Several hours after the bite: the larger red area disappears, leaving a small red bump, similar to a mosquito bite.
24-48 hours after the bite: blisters form at the bite site. These blisters usually rupture 24 hours after forming, leaving an open wound. This wound forms a scab within a few days.
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