Here are the characteristics of the brown recluse:
- The body is 1/4 inch in length and 1/8 to 1/4 inch in width
- The legs span an area roughly the size of a quarter to a half-dollar
- Most are light to medium brown in color
- A darker violin-shaped marking found on the carapace (the top of the body directly above the legs)
- The second pair of legs is longer than the remaining pairs
- Three pairs of eyes are arranged in a semicircle. Since many other spiders have eight eyes, this feature alone can eliminate many specimens suspected of being a brown recluse spider.
If these characters are difficult for you to see, please bring the specimen to your local county Extension office for identification. However, make sure to handle the specimen with care because brown recluse spiders are venomous and can be harmful to people when bitten.
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Find more information about pests in eXtensions Pest Management In and Around Structures Resource Area.
