Brown Recluse appreciation thread

[8ball]

Or it could be in mid-walk.



You're acting like L. reclusa is some kind of unruly, wild beast. Their temperment is pretty inoffensive and will only bite if you squeeze or trap them.

Nice pictures, pandinus

Yea but back in 6th grade I did a science project on black widows and brown recluse spider's and just seeing the result's of some of the bite's make's me rather be bit by a black widow

 

[pandinus]

Loxos are much worse than any Latrodectus if you ask me!! I don't blame you for cringing, I do every time I see even a picture like these! Handling recluses ( or intentionally getting near them ) is about as smart as kissing saltwater crocodiles in my opinion.

i live in kansas, so my house, like 70% of the state's is infested with these spiders. i can find five in about 3 minutes on average. They are very docile and totally innoffensive. i'v never known one to bite unless pinned or hunting. I've had to deal with them since i was 2 so i feel pretty relaxed around them after 16 years of living with them. I was selling them for a while but nobody wanted them so i stopped.

 

[Venom]

I'm not disagreeing that they have an innoccuous temperament. I realize they aren't defensive, except when pinned etc. But when they are running around in your house, that situation can easily happen. They like to hide in clothing, sheets, etc., and that is how many bites occur. They are like landmines: they don't chase you down, and they don't have an attitude, but if you step on one...yikes, it can be a costly accident. They may not be mean-tempered, but they are NOT safe, and IMO their bite is much worse than that of Latros'.

I don't want to come across as condescending or obnoxious, but I just can't stand to see people told not to worry about Loxosceles, or not consider them dangerous because "they really aren't that bad." They are bad, horribly bad, they just aren't inclined to bite very often due to their --fortunately-- forgiving temper. Anyway, I've said this all a thousand times, but I will continue to say it until people stop saying recluses are benign!

 

[David_F]

They are like landmines...

Except that landmines probably injure and kill more people per year than recluses do (in America...I have no idea what cases in other countries are like).

You don't own a dog, do you? I'd hate for anyone to be living in such close proximity to such a dangerous animal. Don't leave the house in the summer...mosquitos are wicked dangerous. ;P

Everyone knows recluse bites can cause bad reactions. What most people don't know is that, all things considered, the chances of being bitten are very slim. Maybe you're just trying to educate people but the only thing I see you doing is perpetuating the fear of this spider. If I actually gave two squirts I would do what I could to find an annual report of confirmed recluse bites. Since you seem to have better access to stuff like that maybe you could dig it up?

...but I just can't stand to see people told not to worry about Loxosceles, or not consider them dangerous because "they really aren't that bad."

Do we really need to do this again? The bite can cause bad reactions but the temperament is so mild, at least in L. reclusa, that they are not inclined to bite unless they feel threatened. I'm not saying they're not "dangerous" but I will say they're "not that bad" because, really, they're not. The fact that many people live with many (sometimes thousands) of these spiders in their homes tells you quite a bit about the danger posed by this species. You are doing nothing but feeding the flames in this argument and it's based on nothing but fear blown way out of proportion.

Look what you made me do. A long rant (that probably makes absolutely no sense) about this spider.

 

[jarrell]

let the kids play with the guns, they wont bite ;P ;P

 

[pandinus]

most of the time when i step on one, it just dies.

 

[Gemeines]

I just liked looking at the pictures.

I feel that while the spider is obviously docile, I still wont be holding any nor encouraging others to do so....But I do appreciate and respect this neat little animal and I would never kill one. (on purpose )

I heard once that humans actualy eat these spiders by accident while they sleep.
(I dont have a reliable source for that myth bit I thought it was funny)

Thanks for all the info and Pics!

 

[Arietans]

DavidF, as long as you know (and you obviously do) what the result can be if it bites, carry on mate

 

[zinto]

Are there other spiders which look similar to the recluse? I found a spider with the violin shaped marking, and three sets of eyes in semi circle. I'm pretty sure it's a recluse, but was wondering if there are other spiders which look similar. Thanks.

 

[Venom]

The eye arrangement of three pairs ( called diads ) in a semi-circle is unique to Sicariidae, and the only members of that family in the USA are the Loxosceles. If a spider looks like a recluse, check for this eye arrangement, and if it has it, then it is definitely 100% a recluse. Be careful.

As for look alikes, the male Kukulcania hibernalis is very similar in appearance. to L. reclusa.

 

[Heartslave]

WOW great pictures I can use these to show my little sister what to look for! We see lots of br's in Texas so good pictures are always an asset.

Heartslave

 

[zinto]

Thanks for the reply. After I posted, I found a very useful site in identifying and common misidentifications of the recluse. I definitely have a recluse. As far as the eye arrangement goes, this site says there is another species that has the same arrangement: "The eye pattern of a closely related, non-poisonous spitting spider (Scytodes sp.)." This quote is accompanied by a photo. Here's a link to the site: http://dermatology.cdlib.org/DOJvol5num2/special/recluse.html

EDIT: Does anyone know what a recluse web looks like?

 

[Gemeines]

Does anyone know what a recluse web looks like?

I dont think they build webs and are a wandering predator, I may be wrong.

I know I have seen them make little cocoon looking things.
sorta like a little sleeping bag that looks like a little white cotton puff in a corner.

I hope I get corrected if I am wrong.

 

[zinto]

Yeah, they are nocturnal hunting spiders, but I believe they return to the same area at the end of every night which has some webbing around it. This is what I've read anyway. Just wondering what that might look like. Thanks for the input!