Recluse Spiders

Recluse Spiders

Frequently Asked Question?

Are there Brown Recluse Spiders in Nevada

No.. There is a close relative that occurs in southern Nevada. But no Loxosceles reclusa. See publications section from Jeff Knight, NV Dept of Agriculture

Recluse spiders of the genus Loxosceles include the well-known brown recluse spider, L. reclusa, which does not occur in California. While the brown recluse has occasionally been brought into California in household furnishings, firewood, and motor vehicles, it does not reside in the state. However, another recluse spider, the Chilean recluse spider (L.laeta), was introduced into Los Angeles County in the late 1960s. In Chile, South America it is known to have a bite that is toxic to humans. The native recluse spider of California (L. deserta) is found in the desert regions of southern California and neighboring states. Its bite can cause problems, but it is not as toxic as that of the Chilean recluse. In any case, bites from either species are rare. Both the native desert recluse spider and the Chilean recluse spider occur principally in the drier areas of southern California.

Recluse spiders can have a violin-shaped mark (with the neck of the violin pointing backward) on the top side of the head region (cephalothorax). However, the mark is not always distinct, so it should not be used as an identifying character. A unique feature of recluse spiders is their six eyes, arranged in pairs in a semicircle, which can be seen with the use of a good hand lens. Most other spiders have eight eyes. All recluse spiders make large, irregular, flattened, cobweb-type webs with thick strands extending in all directions. These spiders avoid light, are active at night, and tend to build their webs in out-of-the-way places. Chilean recluse spiders may be found indoors in boxes, in corners, behind pictures, in old clothing hanging undisturbed, and in other similar places. Desert recluse spiders appear outdoors where they may be found under rocks or wood.

A person bitten by a recluse spider may not be aware of having been bitten at the time of the bite. The first symptoms often appear several hours later. They consist of pain, formation of a small blister, redness, and swelling at the bite site. In the days following the initial bite, the tissue dies and sloughs off, exposing underlying flesh. The area develops into an open sore that is very slow to heal and may leave a sunken scar after healing. There may be accompanying flulike effects such as nausea, fever, chills, and restlessness. Bites from brown recluse spiders have never been confirmed in California. More detailed information on these spiders is available in Pest Notes: Brown Recluse and Other Recluse Spiders, listed in the "Suggested Reading" section.

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