Apache Recluse Spider

Arachnida, Araneae, Sicariidae, Loxosceles apachea

Description: Light brown or tan spiders with a slender body and long legs. Cephalothorax (front section of body with head) with a dark brown, violin-shaped marking on top. 6 eyes in three groups of two. Most similar in appearance to the cellar spider or daddy long-legs, but brown recluse spiders are not as slender, and legs not as long. Almost identical in appearance to the brown recluse spider, but smaller and lighter brown color.

Geographic Distribution: The brown recluse spider is known to occur in eastern New Mexico, along the Pecos river valley and east to Texas. Brown recluse spiders are not known to be established in any other parts of New Mexico. However, individuals may ride in people's belongings when they travel from regions where the spiders occur. Individual brown recluse spiders have been found in apartment complexes in Albuquerque, but established populations have not been documented.

Habitats: Usually outdoors under objects on the ground, like rocks and boards, rarely in houses. Webs are usually located on or near the ground, in dark quiet, undisturbed locations.

Biology: Adults may be found year-round, but especially during the late summer months. Recluse spiders construct small simple, relatively sheet-like webs with retreats into cracks or cavities. They generally stay with their webs, but adult males wander in search of females in late summer.

Health/pest Status: The toxicity of Apache recluse bites is not known, but probably similar to bites of the brown recluse.