Page 16 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

BROWN RECLUSE BROWN RECLUSE

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

BROWN RECLUSE - VIOLIN CHILEAN RECLUSE - FEMALE

Photo Courtesy of
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Dr. Rick Vetter

1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax-
2.Eyes- 3 pairs 7.Petiole - none BROWN RECLUSE
3.Prosoma 8.Metasoma- smaller, with hairs
4.Legs- 8 9.Color- light brown 10
5.Wings- none 10.Other- violin shape behind eyes

Life Cycle
40-50 eggs are laid in a silken case, the female producing 1-5 of these 2
egg cases during her lifetime. The spiderlings hatch in about two weeks 4
and go through one molt inside the egg case before emerging. After
emerging, the instars go through 6-7 more molts in the next 7-12 months
before becoming adults. Adults usually live from 1-2 years. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

RECLUSE SPIDERS Actual body size 3/8”
The Brown Recluse spider is a type of hunting spider. It lives in woodpiles, under rocks and other dark
places outdoors where it can find food. However, it will also live inside, usually in closets, stored boxes or folded
clothes. These brown-colored spiders have a body length of around 3/8th inch, with very long legs. A violin
shape behind the head is the best feature for identification.
In Florida, Brown Recluse spiders are out of their natural habitat, which is in the Midwest and South,
especially along the Mississippi River. They are brought into the state by accident, and have been found in
nine counties, mostly in central Florida. Many Brown Recluse bites have been identified in Florida. They are
extremely poisonous and all bites should be taken seriously. Effects of a bite will be felt in a matter of hours, and
they take a long time to heal.
In addition to the Brown Recluse, two other types of Recluse spiders have been found in Florida. The
Mediterranean Recluse is now found as often as the Brown Recluse, and one infestation of Chilean Recluse
spiders occurred in 2002. It is the most deadly of all the Recluse spiders.
GENERAL
All spiders are carnivorous and with few exceptions have poison glands. They have spinnerets used for making
webs to snare their prey, but some actually roam around hunting for victims. Webs may be used to make homes,
lacing leaves or grass together, and they also may be used to bind their catch. The Jumping Spider attaches a
strand just before jumping--a type of lifeline so as not to jump too far into a place where it may have difficulty in
getting out. Eggs are encased in webbing, usually in a sac, which is then hidden under bark or rocks, kept in a
nest, fastened in the snare web, or carried around (like the Wolf Spider). Some never even see their offspring,
some protect the eggs until they hatch, and the Wolf Spider even carries the young around until they can hunt on
their own. Spiders feed by removing internal liquid contents of their prey with their chelicera (fangs).

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