Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse is often called violin spiders or fiddlebacks. This is because of a characteristic fiddle-shaped pattern they have on their head region.

Identification

This spider is golden brown with the fiddle being dark brown or black. This spider is not hairy and the fiddle pattern is often shiny. They are about 1/4 to 3/4 inch long.

Environment

These spiders and their small, irregular, untidy webs can be found under rocks and stones in the southern Ozarks but are more often encountered indoors. The spider commonly lives in basements and garages of houses and often hides behind boards and boxes. Bites often occur when the spiders hide in towels or old clothes left in those areas.

Life Cycle

Female deposits eggs in off-white silken cases about 1/3 inch in diameter in sheltered, dark areas. Spiderlings emerge in 24-36 days and abandon the egg case. Development is slow, influenced by weather conditions and food availability. They reach maturity in 10 to 12 months and can survive long periods of time without food or water.

Health Risks

The symptoms from brown recluse bite may vary from no harm at all to a reaction that is very severe. Often there is a reaction within 24-36 hours including: restlessness, fever, chills, nausea, weakness, and joint pain. Where the bite occurs there is often tissue death and skin is sloughed off. In some severe cases, a wound may develop that lasts several months.