The Brown Recluse is a medium-sized, tan-to-brown spider with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on its dorsal thorax (cephalothorax) and six eyes arranged in three pairs, unlike most spiders with eight eyes. Its venom contains sphingomyelinase D, which can cause necrotic skin lesions in a minority of bites. It is shy and reclusive, hiding in dark, undisturbed areas inside and outside of structures.
Best time to see a Brown Recluse
The best time to see a Brown Recluse is May–August, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,995 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Brown Recluse? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Brown Recluse sightings near you
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