For a detailed discussion of recluse spider identification click here. The spiders have rather long thin legs, often spread widely and they are adept at running sideways as well as forward and backward. Many people are confused by somewhat similar markings on other spiders, so this trait is not very useful for identification. On very close inspection there is a violin-like pattern on the top of the cephalothorax.
Unlike most spiders, which have eight eyes, recluse spiders have only six eyes, arranged in three pairs. The recluse spiders are mostly a pale or reddish brown color, darker on the cephalothorax (front part of body) and legs. Their thin tangle webs are found in the area near the retreat, and if disturbed the spider may rush out and bite. For a distribution map of the recluse species in North America, check here.Īs the name “recluse” suggests these are relatively shy spiders. The natural range of the brown recluse is south and west of Ohio. There were four people living there over the period of the study, but even though they often encountered recluse, the residents were never bitten. One published study from 2001 collected more than 2,000 brown recluse spiders from a house in Kansas. Even where these spiders are common, bites are rare. For more information about other causes of wounds that might resemble spider bites, consult this site. There are many cases of wounds that have been attributed to spider bites, even recluse bites, but many of these represent misdiagnoses. Contrary to popular belief, I am unaware of any brown recluse bite cases in Ohio that have been accompanied by an actual verified spider specimen. In some of these cases there were many recluse found over an extended period. In each case so far, the record came from inside a building. Even so, we have only five separate records during that period of brown recluse in Ohio which are supported by an identifiable photograph or an actual specimen since 1994.
Since the Ohio Spider Survey began in 1994, we have amassed a large number of (41,000 and counting) spider records. We have very few verified records of recluse in Ohio. In Ohio, these species have been found only in or near buildings and they may not survive over the winter outside. Other common names for these spiders include “brown spiders” or “violin spiders.” In most cases if you find a recluse here it is likely that it was introduced by humans. The two species of recluse spiders found in Ohio (brown recluse – Loxosceles reclusa, Mediterranean recluse – Loxosceles rufescens). These spiders are relatively rare in our state. In Ohio there are two main groups of spiders that pose a potential hazard to humans the recluse spiders and the widow spiders.
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