Beware of the Recluse Spider Family
The Apache recluse, Loxosceles apachea: Ranges from southeastern Arizona, through southern New Mexico, to extreme western Texas.
The Arizona recluse, Loxosceles arizonica: Found in central and southern Arizona, and southeastern California.
The Baja recluse, Loxosceles palma: Found in southern California, and northern Baja, Mexico.
The Big Bend recluse, Loxosceles blanda: Western Texas.
The Chilean recluse, Loxosceles laeta: Introduced from South America, colonies exist in southern California. A large (25 mm) spider, with a particularly severe bite.
The desert recluse, Loxosceles deserta: A pale colored species which ranges from south-central to southern California, east to south-central Arizona, and north to southern Nevada and the Saint George, Utah area.
The Grand Canyon recluse, Loxosceles kaiba: Grand Canyon area, Arizona.
Martha's recluse, Loxosceles martha: Southern California.
The Mediterranean recluse, Loxosceles rufescens: An introduced species from the Mediterranean region, which has been found in various cities across the U.S. Its bite is not regarded as being as severe as some of the other spiders of this genus.
Russell's recluse, Loxosceles russelli: Found in the Death Valley area of southern California.
The Texas recluse, Loxosceles devia: Southern Texas.
- The Tucson recluse, Loxosceles sabina: The Tucson area of southern Arizona.(Information provided by Darwin K. Vest, Eagle Rock Research)The most active reproduction timeframe of these spiders occurs as early as February, but is generally (80%) during the months of May, June and July.According to Ohio State University Professor, Susan C. Jones, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Entomology; Extension Specialist, Household & Structural Pests; you may aid in the prevention of spider bites by doing some very simple things like:
Shake out clothing and shoes before getting dressed.
Inspect bedding and towels before use.
Wear gloves when handling firewood, lumber, and rocks (be sure to inspect the gloves for spiders before putting them on).
Remove bed skirts and storage boxes from underneath beds. Move the bed away from the wall.
- Exercise care when handling cardboard boxes (recluse spiders often are found in the space under folded cardboard flaps).Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom cure for the recluse spider bite. Additionally, without immediate and proper medical attention, the following graphic photos may be the end result of a Brown Recluse Spider bite:Take extra care when working in a garage or warehouse where the conditions could be right for the Brown Recluse Spider. If you think you have been bitten, seek medical treatment quickly.