
Community identification
Brown Recluse Spider
Loxosceles reclusa
- Order & Family
- Araneae: Sicariidae
- Size
- 6 to 20 millimeters (1/4 to 3/4 inch) body length
Natural Habitat
Found in undisturbed areas such as sheds, woodpiles, basements, and closets; frequently retreats into cardboard boxes or behind furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; feeds primarily on soft-bodied insects like cockroaches, crickets, and silverfish.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal hunters that do not use webs to catch prey; they are non-aggressive and generally only bite when pressed against skin.
Risks & Benefits
Possesses necrotic venom that can cause severe skin lesions (loxoscelism) in humans; however, they benefit the ecosystem by controlling indoor pest populations.