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Brown Recluse Spider

Photo of a brown recluse spider

Source: Public Health Image Library (PHIL). Available online: http://phil.cdc.gov

Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa), also called violin spiders or fiddleback spiders, are found most often in the south-central part of the United States and live in hot, dry, abandoned areas, such as wood or rock piles. They are about 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) long with a dark violin-shaped mark on the combined head and midsection (cephalothorax). They have 6 eyes grouped in 3 pairs rather than 8 eyes like other spiders.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised October 15, 2011

Last Revised: October 15, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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