The brown recluse spider is one of the most dangerous spiders in North America. With a violin marking on its body and six eyes arranged in pairs, the brown recluse is easily identifiable. However, there are many spiders that are commonly mistaken for the recluse. Knowing how to differentiate these spiders can bring peace of mind and prevent unnecessary alarm.
How to Identify a Brown Recluse Spider
- Small in size, ranging from 6 to 20 mm
- Uniform brown coloration
- Dark violin marking on cephalothorax pointing toward abdomen
- Six eyes arranged in pairs
- Long, thin legs without stripes
- Builds irregular webs in secluded spots
8 Lookalike Spiders
1. Southern House Spider
The southern house spider has gray hairs on its abdomen unlike the recluse. Males are often confused with the brown recluse as both are uniform brown However, the southern house spider lacks the trademark violin marking
2. Giant House Spider
Much larger than a recluse, the giant house spider has a brown cephalothorax with three light spots on each side forming an arrow shape Their legs and pedipalps are noticeably hairy.
3. Hobo Spider
Although similar in size and color the hobo spider has a pattern of light chevrons pointing toward its head. It also has a faint stripe running down its sternum.
4. Barn Funnel Weaver
This spider has dark orange to brown striped legs and two prominent black stripes on its cephalothorax. The abdomen has a distinct chevron pattern.
5. Marbled Cellar Spider
The marbled cellar spider has fragile legs banded with black and white. Its light brown abdomen has a beautiful white marbled pattern.
6. Lance Wolf Spider
The lance wolf spider has an unmarked brown cephalothorax and legs. Its abdomen has two stripes surrounding a dark lance-shaped marking.
7. Rabid Wolf Spider
This spider has two dark stripes on its cephalothorax and one on its yellowish abdomen. Unlike the recluse, it has eight eyes in two rows.
8. Arizona Black Hole Spider
Found in the Southwestern US, this solid black spider with a velvety look lacks any violin marking. It builds its web in sheltered spots with few vibrations.
While several spiders resemble the recluse, none have the exact combination of small size, violin marking, eye arrangement, leg structure and web habits. Learning how to properly identify the brown recluse can prevent unnecessary panic and allow you to admire these gentle lookalikes. With a watchful eye, we can peacefully coexist with these arachnid neighbors.
Dangerous or Doppelganger – What Spiders Look Like Brown Recluses?
Ah, the brown recluse spider – the stuff of nightmares for arachnophobes everywhere.
With their venomous bites and eerie appearance, it’s no wonder many people are on high alert when they spot a brown recluse lurking in their home.
But what about those other spiders that look a lot like them? Are they equally as dangerous or just sneaky doppelgangers? It’s time to unravel this web once and for all.
So what spiders look like brown recluse spiders? Let’s grab our magnifying glasses to take a closer look.
What Are Brown Recluse Spiders?
Let’s talk about one of the most feared spiders out there – the brown recluse.
Now, what makes the brown recluse so dangerous? For starters, their venom can cause some serious damage. It can destroy tissues surrounding the bite area, leading to a nasty wound. In some cases, people can even experience systemic reactions like fever, nausea, and muscle pain.
In terms of appearance, though, brown recluses are actually pretty plain except for their cephalothorax – their overall color is uniformly brown, and their abdomen is without any patterning. However their cephalothorax always sports a violin-shaped brown marking. Their legs are also uniform in color and lack spines. They’re most active at night.
When it comes to identifying these sneaky little spiders and differentiating them from other species, you’ll want to take a close look at their eyes. Brown recluse spiders have three pairs of eyes that are arranged in a semicircular pattern. Their cephalothorax (the head and body area) is a uniform brown color with a darker brown pattern in the center that closely resembles a violin.
If you do happen to come across a brown recluse, it’s best to keep your distance and call a professional to remove it. Don’t try to handle it yourself – these spiders are known to be reclusive (hence the name) and usually only bite when they feel threatened.
Spider Bites: Black Widow vs. Brown Recluse
FAQ
What spider can be mistaken for a brown recluse spider?
Figure 10. Marbled cellar spider often is confused with brown recluse spider despite the fact that the perceived violin-shape is on the underside of the body.
What can be mistaken as a brown recluse?
The two types of cellar spiders found in Colorado that are sometimes mistaken for brown recluse are Pholcus phalangioides and Psilochorus spp.
How to tell if a spider is brown recluse?
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A dark, violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax (the part of the body where the legs attach), with the neck of the violin pointing towards the abdomen.
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Unlike most spiders that have eight eyes, brown recluses have six eyes arranged in three pairs.
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Brown recluse spiders have uniformly colored legs and abdomens, with no stripes, bands, or other markings.
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They have long, slender legs covered in fine hairs, not spines.
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The body (not including legs) is typically between 1/4 and 1/2 inch (0.6 and 1.2 cm) in length.
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Brown recluses are known for their reclusive nature, often hiding in dark, undisturbed places.
What is the difference between a brown recluse and a funnel web spider?
- Venom: Highly toxic, containing a unique toxin called Robustoxin (δ-Atracotoxin-Ar1) that affects the nervous system.
- Aggression: Known for aggressive behavior, rearing up on their hind legs and displaying fangs when threatened.
- Habitat: Found in burrows in sheltered positions in the ground, or in stumps, tree trunks or ferns above the ground.
- Size: Large black spiders, ranging in size from 1.5cm – 5cm.
- Treatment: Antivenom is available and crucial for treatment of bites.
- Appearance: Large, black spiders with a characteristic funnel-shaped web and striped legs.
- Location: Primarily found in Australia, with the Sydney funnel-web spider being one of the most dangerous.
What does a brown recluse spider look like?
Brown recluse spiders are large, with a leg span of up to two inches. Their light brown body has a blond stripe down the carapace, ending at the abdomen, where it becomes two stripes surrounding a dark lance-like marking. They have gray, brown, or yellow legs without any banding.
How long does a brown recluse spider bite take to heal?
Mild cases heal spontaneously in a few days, but moderate or severe cases require administration of antihistamines or steroids, and the administration of steroids for 6 to 8 days, which improves the skin symptoms. Therefore, it is said that a treatment period of about 2 weeks is necessary.
Are brown recluse spiders the same as house spiders?
Common house spiders are mistaken for the brown recluse because they’re small and often brown in color. In all likelihood, you’ve got far more of these spiders in your house than you realize. They’re small and inconspicuous. However, they also tend to build their webs in easily visible areas like window sills.
Are brown recluse spiders the same as tarantulas?
In the United States, one of the spiders that gets confused for brown recluse is the southern house spider. Female southern house spiders sport a dark gray hue, and their overall size, legs included, measures around 2 inches. It’s common for people to notice a resemblance between these females and miniature tarantulas!
Are brown recluse spiders dangerous?
The brown recluse is one of the most dangerous spiders in North America. It is also one of the most misidentified spiders. Knowing what the brown recluse looks like, its preferred habitat, and its behavior can help you quickly identify it.
Are brown recluse spiders the same as wolf spiders?
Another spider that people often mistake for the brown recluse is the wolf spider. But knowing the difference between the two will be very important since the wolf spider is far less dangerous than the brown recluse. Firstly, the wolf spider is slightly larger.