A brown recluse has a dark brown violin shape on the cephalothorax (the portion of the body to which the legs attach). The neck of the violin points backward toward the abdomen. However, what you should look at instead is the eye pattern of 6 eyes in pairs with a space separating the pairs. Most spiders have 8 eyes in two rows of four.

Sep 8, 2024 · Brown recluses are small spiders with light-brown bodies and legs, 6 eyes, and fine hair on their legs. True to their name, brown recluses favor sheltered, out-of-the-way places and typically aren't out in plain sight. Brown recluse spiders are native to the southeastern and midwest United States.

The brown recluse has three pairs of eyes, unlike most spiders with four pairs of eyes. The violin pattern is not a definitive identifier, as other spiders can have similar markings (e.g. cellar spiders and pirate spiders).

Sep 6, 2024 · The brown recluse spider, scientifically known as Loxosceles reclusa, has several distinct features that set it apart from other spiders: Uniform light to dark brown coloration; Violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax (fused head and thorax) Six eyes arranged in three pairs, rather than the typical eight eyes of most spiders

Apr 27, 2023 · Unlike other spiders with eight eyes, the brown recluse has six eyes. You may not see the eye pattern easily. However, it is possible to identify the pattern with magnification.

Jan 28, 2025 · Unlike most spiders that have eight eyes, brown recluse spiders have only six, arranged in three pairs. This is a unique feature that sets them apart from other species.

Whereas most spiders have eight eyes, recluse spiders have only six eyes that are arranged in pairs in a semicircle on the forepart of the cephalothorax (the first (anterior) major body section), with one median pair and two lateral pairs. Only a few other spiders have 3 pairs of eyes arranged this way, such as the Spitting Spiders (scytodids).

Jan 29, 2025 · Brown recluse spiders can be identified by the following features: Violin Marking: A dark, violin-shaped marking on their back. Six Eyes: Unlike most spiders with eight eyes, they have six arranged in three pairs. Smooth Legs: Their legs are thin, long, and free of spines or markings. Plain Abdomen: Uniformly colored, typically light to dark brown.

A more definitive diagnostic feature is the eye pattern -- brown recluses have a semi-circular arrangement of six eyes (three groups of two) while most other spiders have 8 eyes. Seeing this feature requires a good quality hand lens.

May 14, 2021 · All Brown recluse spiders have a single “violin-shaped” mark at the top of their cephalothorax (fused head and thorax). This mark varies in size and intensity, but it’s always darker than the spider’s body. The violin “body” is broadest at the top of …