What the heck is this?

[shinta]

Can anyone identify the arachnid in this pic -- http://www.animebyte.com/images/PICT1819.JPG

A friend of mine found it in her house a couple days ago. There are tons of spiders in her house, but this is the most, er, interesting one.

 

[CedrikG]

looks like a hunting spider ? im not too familiar with true spiders

 

[shinta]

i had thought it was a huntsman spider, but those are found mainly in australia and florida. never heard of them being seen in fresno, california, which is where my friend lives. maybe it's a tegeneria (hobo)?

 

[Venom]

I would be very concerned if I were you. That strongly resembles the Chilean recluse, Loxosceles laeta. Go here for info: http://health.ucsd.edu/POISON/spiders.htm

And here for a pic to confirm with

http://doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/venomousspiders.htm

 

[cacoseraph]

Olios gigantes?

harmless huntsman spider

it holds its legs more like a huntsman, to my mind

and huntsmen are all over, even in CA

 

[Elizabeth]

I think it is unlikely that it is a Chilean recluse, considering distribution, though, yes, from that one shot, it does resemble it.

site source of the following: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/loxoscel.html
(same as site referenced above by Venom, but different "page")

DISTRIBUTION: Loxosceles laeta is native to Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and southern and eastern Brazil. It has been introduced into Belize, Guatemala, Finland, and the United States (several records from Los Angeles, California; one record from Kansas; and a population in one building at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts).

SUSPECTED RECLUSE? Homeowners should keep in mind that many common, harmless spiders look similar to the Chilean recluse, and that thus far it is only known from one home in Florida.


So, what have you done with it? Still have it?

 

[shinta]

Thanks Venom, cacoseraph, Elizabeth, and Kirdec for the helpful replies. The spider is over at my friend's place. I've never actually seen it in person, only in picture. My friend thinks it is a recluse; she says it's definitely not a hobo or huntsman. Her house is north of LA, and since the recluse has been seen in LA, I suppose it's possible that it is indeed a recluse. I haven't heard back from her in a while. I'll let you guys know if the spider ends up being positively identified.

 

[cacoseraph]

you should be able to look at the spider's eyes to tell what family it is in

loxosceles have eyes like this

oo       oo
     oo

that is, three pairs of two eyes. this combined witha body shape offers a decent ID