Shut up; sequestered; retired from the world or from public notice; solitary; living apart….
Sound like anyone you know? It sounds like a certain spider that I know very well from two years spent in Oklahoma. The brown recluse, Loxosceles reclusa, is a spider that strikes fear into the hearts of people who are familiar with the potentially debilitating effects of its bite. There is a great deal of misinformation out there regarding this secretive creature, so here are some facts…
Often referred to as fiddleback or violin spiders, these spiders are truly reclusive, preferring to build their irregular webs in dark, still places that are dry and undisturbed. They leave their webs at night to hunt prey. They are not aggressive – however, bites can occur when spiders are accidentally pressed or pinched against the skin. Individual reactions to bites are highly variable with most people experiencing very few symptoms and little discomfort. An unfortunate few may suffer a necrotizing ulcer (an open sore involving localized death of tissue); fewer still may suffer severe systemic effects. Death can occur in rare cases, especially in the very young and in people with compromised immune systems.
Here’s the problem – brown recluse bites, and spider bites in general, are a HUGE mystery – the literature is rife with conflicting accounts, there are no truly reliable data on the efficacy of various treatments for bites, and it is estimated that about 80% of medical problems blamed on brown recluse bites are actually misdiagnosed. At least 14 documented medical conditions have initially been misdiagnosed as brown recluse bites, the most frequent probably being MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus). Without going into great detail, suffice it to say that rarely is a spider captured and professionally identified when a bite is suspected. That being said, if you think you have been bitten, do not hesitate – seek medical help – and take the spider with you if at all possible.
One more thing – the brown recluse is not native to the Carolinas with the exception of extreme western areas of North Carolina. Spread outside of its native range has not been demonstrated, although small, isolated infestations in materials moved from infested areas are not out of the question. If you suspect you have brown recluse, we will be more than happy to have a look at the spiders in question, but be aware that several of our harmless native species have similar “violin” markings. Brown recluse spiders lack the markings on the legs which are typical of similar-looking native spiders. Professionals rely on the number and arrangement of eyes for a positive identification – the brown recluse has 6 eyes, arranged in pairs. A more common threat in our area is the black widow spider, which I’ll talk about in my next blog installment. Until then I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday, and wish you all a prosperous new year!