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DESERT VIOLIN SPIDER DESERT VIOLIN SPIDER DESERT VIOLIN SPIDER DESERT VIOLIN SPIDER

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax DESERT VIOLIN SPIDER 1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax DESERT VIOLIN SPIDER
2.Eyes- 6 7.Petiole- none 6 2.Eyes- 6 7.Petiole- none 6
3.Prosoma- Chelicera (fangs) 8.Abdomen- large & hairy 3.Prosoma- Chelicera (fangs) 8.Abdomen- large & hairy
4.Legs- 8 9.Color- brownish to blackish 4.Legs- 8 9.Color- brownish to blackish
5.Wings-none 10.Other- largest native spider 5.Wings-none 10.Other- largest native spider
3 8 3 8
Life Cycle Life Cycle
40-50 eggs are laid in a silken case, the female produces 1-5 of these 40-50 eggs are laid in a silken case, the female produces 1-5 of these
egg cases during her lifetime. The spiderlings hatch and go through egg cases during her lifetime. The spiderlings hatch and go through
one molt inside the egg case before emerging. After emerging, the in- one molt inside the egg case before emerging. After emerging, the in-
stars go through 6-7 more molts in the next 7-12 months before becom- 4 stars go through 6-7 more molts in the next 7-12 months before becom- 4
ing adults. Adults live from 1-2 years. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR ing adults. Adults live from 1-2 years. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

DESERT VIOLIN SPIDER / RECLUSE SPIDERS Actual size 5/8” body DESERT VIOLIN SPIDER / RECLUSE SPIDERS Actual size 5/8” body
The Desert Violin spider is a type of recluse spider, and an example of a hunting spider. It lives in woodpiles, The Desert Violin spider is a type of recluse spider, and an example of a 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 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 about 3/8 inch, with closets, stored boxes or folded clothes. These brown-colored spiders have a body length of about 3/8 inch, with
very long legs. A violin shape behind the head is the best feature for identification. They are also referred to as very long legs. A violin shape behind the head is the best feature for identification. They are also referred to as
Arizona Brown Spiders. They are extremely poisonous and bites should be taken seriously. Arizona Brown Spiders. They are extremely poisonous and bites should be taken seriously.

These spiders are often misidentified as Brown Recluse spiders, which are actually only found in the Midwest and These spiders are often misidentified as Brown Recluse spiders, which are actually only found in the Midwest and
South. There are other rare types of desert recluse spiders found in the southwest that could also be found in South. There are other rare types of desert recluse spiders found in the southwest that could also be found in
the urban areas at times, and several other spiders are often misidentified as Brown Recluse spiders. The violin the urban areas at times, and several other spiders are often misidentified as Brown Recluse spiders. The violin
shape is much more clearly defined on a Brown Recluse spider than on a Desert Violin spider, and there are shape is much more clearly defined on a Brown Recluse spider than on a Desert Violin spider, and there are
more hairs on the Brown Recluse. more hairs on the Brown Recluse.

1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax TRAPDOOR SPIDER 1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax TRAPDOOR SPIDER
2.Eyes- 8 (close together) 7.Petiole- none 2.Eyes- 8 (close together) 7.Petiole- none
3.Prosoma- Chelicera (fangs) 8.Abdomen- oval 6 3.Prosoma- Chelicera (fangs) 8.Abdomen- oval 6
4.Legs- 8 9.Color- reddish/brownish 4.Legs- 8 9.Color- reddish/brownish
5.Wings- none 10.Other 5.Wings- none 10.Other
8 8
3 3
Life Cycle Life Cycle
The male and female spider mate in the fall, and the female then lays The male and female spider mate in the fall, and the female then lays
several hundred eggs in the burrow. After the spiderlings hatch, they several hundred eggs in the burrow. After the spiderlings hatch, they
remain in the burrow over the winter, being cared for by their mother 4 remain in the burrow over the winter, being cared for by their mother 4
spider. They emerge in the spring and go out to create a new burrow. spider. They emerge in the spring and go out to create a new burrow.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
TRAPDOOR SPIDER TRAPDOOR SPIDER
Actual size 1” body Actual size 1” body
Trapdoor spiders usually live on dry hillsides. They make a burrow that is about 6-10 inches deep and line it with Trapdoor spiders usually live on dry hillsides. They make a burrow that is about 6-10 inches deep and line it with
papery silk. The entrance is capped with a tight-fitting lid—the “trap door.” The spider can hold the lid shut with papery silk. The entrance is capped with a tight-fitting lid—the “trap door.” The spider can hold the lid shut with
its fangs if necessary. its fangs if necessary.
Females are a little over an inch in body length, while males are a little bit smaller—just under an inch. The Females are a little over an inch in body length, while males are a little bit smaller—just under an inch. The
female is black, but the males also have an orange-colored abdomen. They eat other insects, especially ground female is black, but the males also have an orange-colored abdomen. They eat other insects, especially ground
crawling varieties. At night they wait for their prey to come within range of their trap door nest, and drag it inside. crawling varieties. At night they wait for their prey to come within range of their trap door nest, and drag it inside.

8 8