Brown Recluse Spider

Dark, undisturbed areas such as basements, attics, woodpiles, and closets; predominantly found in the central and southeastern United States.

Carnivorous; feeds on soft-bodied insects like flies, moths, and cockroaches, often scavenging for dead insects.

Nocturnal hunters that do not use webs to catch prey; they are reclusive and shy, typically only biting when pressed against skin or threatened.

Contains necrotic venom that can cause skin lesions (loxoscelism) in humans, though bites are rarely fatal; benefits include controlling indoor pest populations.