arachnid
Brown recluse
Loxosceles reclusa
VenomousNot fooduncommon
Violin mark, six eyes in pairs. Bites are uncommon and over-diagnosed — still take necrotic wounds seriously.
A tan spider. Violin/fiddle shape on the carapace, pointing toward the abdomen. No spines on legs. Hides in cardboard, woodpiles, and unused shoes.
- Habitat
- Sheds, cellars, woodpiles. Southern Indiana is in range.
- Season
- Year-round indoors.
- Size
- Body ~3/8 in
- Field marks
- Violin; six eyes; uniform tan legs
First aid
Wash, ice, elevate. See a doctor for spreading redness, blister, or open wound. Most ‘recluse bites’ are not. Do not cut or suck. Shake out shoes and gloves.