Brown Recluse Spider - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut

Appearance

Adult brown recluse spiders are about the size of a quarter. Coloration ranges from tan to dark brown, and the abdomen and legs are uniformly colored with no stripes or bands. Legs are long and thin and lack conspicuous spines. Their most distinguishing feature is the dark violin-shaped mark on its back, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear, or abdomen of the spider. Recluse also have a distinct semi-circular arrangement of 6 eyes in 3 groups of 2. Most other spiders have 8 eyes.

Habitat

Recluse live outdoors under rocks, logs, woodpiles and debris. They are also well adapted to living indoors with humans in crevices, corners and underneath or behind clutter in garages, basements, and living areas. Consequently, they are likely to wander into shoes, clothing or bedding at night and bite people when they become inadvertently trapped against the skin. Recluse are not aggressive, and most bites occur in response to body pressure, like if stepped on in a shoe or rolled onto in bed. During daylight hours, brown recluse typically retreat to dark, secluded areas.

Diet

Brown recluse hunt at night, seeking insect prey, either dead or alive. Recluse do not employ webs to capture food.

Reproduction

Brown Recluse often line their dark, daytime hideaway with irregular webbing, which is used to form egg sacs.