Brown recluse identification (Loxosceles reclusa)


Insect identifier · Spiders and scorpions

How to identify a Brown recluse

Loxosceles reclusa
· Also called fiddleback, violin spider, brown recluse, what does a brown recluse look like, brown recluse bite identification, fiddleback spider

Brown recluse identification photo

True brown recluses are south-central U.S. spiders with a violin mark and six eyes. Records far outside that circle are often misidentifications, and many “recluse bites” are not recluse.

Someone searching this page usually has a brown recluse in a photo, on skin, or in a story about indoors, boxes, sheds. Use the marks, the bite, and the range together. True brown recluses are south-central U.S. spiders with a violin mark and six eyes. Records far outside that circle are often misidentifications, and many “recluse bites” are not recluse.

What does a brown recluse look like?

Uniform tan-brown, violin/fiddle on the cephalothorax, six eyes in three pairs. Not a large hairy spider. Reclusive in shoes, boxes, and sheds.

Brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) is About 6–20 mm including legs span modest. Colors people notice: brown, tan. Field marks: Violin/fiddle shape on the cephalothorax; Six eyes in three pairs (most spiders have eight); Uniform tan-brown, no stripes on abdomen; Reclusive — in shoes, boxes, rarely seen running in the open. It is found indoor. If those marks are missing, open Yellow sac spider, Carolina wolf spider, Southern black widow before you force this name. Search phrases that belong on this page include what a brown recluse looks like and brown recluse identification.

Identification marks

  • Violin/fiddle shape on the cephalothorax
  • Six eyes in three pairs (most spiders have eight)
  • Uniform tan-brown, no stripes on abdomen
  • Reclusive — in shoes, boxes, rarely seen running in the open

Size: About 6–20 mm including legs span modest
Colors: brown, tan
Where: indoor

What a typical brown recluse bite looks like

Typical brown recluse bite or sting
A typical pattern. Reactions vary. This is a guide photo, not a diagnosis.

Often painless at first. A tender red blister or “volcano” lesion may develop. Do not cut or suck the wound. Seek care for spreading necrosis, fever, or darkening. Photograph the spider if safely captured.

People searching “brown recluse bite identification” want the pattern, not a single anonymous bump. Often painless at first. A tender red blister or “volcano” lesion may develop over hours to days. Many alleged recluse bites are actually infections or other bites. Immediate steps on this page: Clean the wound; do not cut or suck; Ice wrapped in cloth; Seek medical care for spreading necrosis, fever, or darkening wound; Photograph the spider if safely captured; Tetanus status; avoid home surgery. This species does bite or sting people. Fever, spreading redness, trouble breathing, or a child with many stings is professional care.

If you were bitten

  1. Clean the wound; do not cut or suck
  2. Ice wrapped in cloth
  3. Seek medical care for spreading necrosis, fever, or darkening wound
  4. Photograph the spider if safely captured
  5. Tetanus status; avoid home surgery

Brown recluse vs Yellow sac spider

Violin plus six eyes plus south-central U.S. All three. Wolf spiders are hairy hunters. Yellow sac spiders are pale with no violin. A large brown spider in a New England garage is almost never a recluse. Many “recluse bites” with no spider are infections or other bites.

Range and season

Roughly Texas/Louisiana up through Missouri/Illinois into parts of Ohio/Nebraska. Year-round indoors.

Boxes, shoes, sheds, and quiet rooms in a south-central band from Texas/Louisiana through Missouri/Illinois. Not a coastal Pacific or far-northern house spider.

Native range is the south-central U.S. (roughly a circle from Texas/Louisiana up through Missouri/Illinois and into parts of Ohio/Nebraska). Records far outside this area are often misidentifications.

Year-round indoors; more encounters in warm months

Common questions

What does a brown recluse look like?

A uniformly tan spider with a dark violin on its back and six eyes. It is not a large hairy spider.

Are they in the Northeast or Pacific Northwest?

Established populations are not expected there. Most “recluse bites” outside the south-central U.S. have another cause.

Does every recluse bite become a hole in the skin?

No. Many are minor. Medical evaluation beats internet wound advice.

What does a brown recluse bite look like?

Often painless at first. A tender blister or “volcano” lesion may develop. Many alleged recluse bites are infections or other bites.

Where do brown recluses live?

A south-central U.S. range. Records far outside that band are often wrong.

Does a brown recluse bite always necrotize?

No. Many bites stay a tender red lesion. Dramatic internet photos are the severe tail.

Brown recluse vs wolf spider?

Recluse: uniform tan, violin, six eyes, hides. Wolf spider: robust, hairy, eye shine, hunts on the ground.

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