Brown recluse spider

Natural Habitat

The brown recluse is typically found in the central and southern United States. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as basements, attics, woodpiles, and unused boxes.

Diet & Feeding

They are primarily insectivores, eating a variety of small insects like silverfish, flies, and cockroaches. They can survive for long periods without food or water.

Behavior Patterns

They are nocturnal and non-aggressive, typically biting only when threatened or pressed against skin. Their lifecycle involves eggs in an egg sac, followed by spiderlings that mature over about a year.

Risks & Benefits

Bites can cause necrotic lesions (tissue death), fever, and chills. While serious, most bites heal without significant complications. They benefit the ecosystem by controlling pest populations. Important: This image shows a skin lesion and not an insect. You should seek medical evaluation for any skin wound that is spreading, painful, or failing to heal.

Identified on: 3/24/2026