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Violin spiders, also known as brown recluse spiders, are venomous spiders known for their bite, which can cause tissue damage and should be treated as an open wound. They are often found in caves and under rocks, logs, and dark areas. While they are typically found in Southern Africa and the United States, there have been reports of sightings and bites in other parts of the world, including Australia. In this article, we will explore the distribution, behaviour, and potential dangers of violin spiders, specifically focusing on their presence in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Violin Spider, Brown Recluse Spider, Fiddle-Back, Reapers |
| Scientific Name | Loxosceles reclusa |
| Distribution | Southern Africa, South America, North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania, Asia, Europe, and South America |
| Habitat | Caves, under rocks, logs, dark areas, houses, garages, crevices or cracks in foundations, around doors, vents, under eaves, soffits, wall voids, leaf litter, brush, crawl spaces, cluttered storage areas, closets, basements, etc. |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, shy, not aggressive |
| Diet | Small prey, scavenging over active hunting |
| Venom | Yes, cytotoxic and tissue-destroying, containing the dermonecrotic agent sphingomyelinase D |
| Bite Symptoms | Itchiness, redness, aggressive behavior, mild lesion, necrotic skin lesion, systemic reaction to envenomation of the bloodstream |
| Bite Treatment | Seek medical treatment, prevent and treat secondary infection of the wound |
| Reproduction | Each female produces several egg sacs (3-4 in the case of South African species) containing approximately 50 eggs each over a period of 2-3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Violin spiders are not native to Australia
Violin spiders, also known as brown recluse spiders, are not native to Australia. They are, however, found in many other parts of the world, including Southern Africa, the United States, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America.
In the United States, the brown recluse spider is commonly found in the Midwest, west of Colorado, and east of northern Georgia. It is also found in Alabama, particularly in the northern half of the state. The brown recluse spider is typically found outdoors in dry areas such as caves and rock and log piles. They are attracted to homes because of the availability of hiding places and prey. They are often found in residential buildings, having been accidentally transported by people in boxes, furniture, and other items.
The brown recluse spider is identified by its violin-shaped marking on the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax, with the neck of the violin pointing towards the abdomen. The spider's body is typically light to medium brown but can vary from whitish to dark brown or even blackish-grey. They are between 6 and 20 millimetres in size, with females being larger than males.
The brown recluse spider is venomous and its bite can cause tissue damage. Symptoms of a bite include itchiness, redness, aggressive behaviour, and lesions. In extreme cases, lesions can be up to 40 millimetres wide and may require skin grafts. It is important to seek medical treatment promptly if bitten by a brown recluse spider.
While violin spiders are not native to Australia, there have been reports of similar-looking spiders in the country. The Mediterranean recluse (Loxosceles rufescens), which is almost indistinguishable from the brown recluse, has been introduced to Australia. Additionally, the African Snakebite Institute mentions the introduction of the brown recluse to ports in Australia, although it is not specified whether this introduction led to an established population.
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The brown recluse spider is often confused with the violin spider
The brown recluse spider is typically light to medium brown, but can range in colour from whitish to dark brown or blackish-grey. The cephalothorax and abdomen are not always the same colour. They usually have markings on the dorsal side of their cephalothorax, with a black line coming from it that looks like a violin. This marking is not a definitive identifier, as other spiders, such as cellar spiders and pirate spiders, can have similar markings.
The brown recluse spider is a member of the Loxosceles genus, which is distributed nearly worldwide in warmer areas. They are venomous spiders known for their bite, which sometimes produces a characteristic set of symptoms known as loxoscelism. They are resilient and can go for up to six months without food or water and may live for up to two years. They are also capable of tolerating extreme drought and scarcity of food.
The brown recluse spider is often misidentified as the violin spider, but there are key differences between the two species. The brown recluse spider has six eyes arranged in three groups of two (dyads), while most spiders have eight eyes. The violin spider, on the other hand, can have a variety of eye arrangements, including the typical eight eyes in two rows. The brown recluse spider is also smaller in size, ranging from 6 to 20 millimetres, while the violin spider can vary in size depending on the species.
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The brown recluse spider has been introduced to ports in Australia
The brown recluse spider, or fiddle-back spider, is a venomous spider known for its bite, which can cause a range of symptoms, from mild redness and itchiness to severe allergic reactions and even death. The spider is typically light to medium brown and grows to between 6 and 20 millimetres in size. It is easily identifiable by the violin-shaped marking on its body, with the neck of the violin pointing to the rear of the spider.
The brown recluse spider is native to the central and southern parts of the United States, commonly found in the Midwest, west to Colorado, and the New Mexico state line, and east to northern Georgia. It prefers warm climates and can be found in caves, under rocks, logs, and woodpiles, as well as indoors in attics, basements, and garages. The brown recluse spider is resilient and can tolerate extreme conditions, including cold winters and hot summers.
Despite rumours and misidentifications, the brown recluse spider has not successfully established itself in California or anywhere outside its native range. However, individual spiders have been intercepted in locations beyond their natural habitat, including Florida and Thailand, where a man was claimed to have died from a bite. These occurrences do not indicate successful colonisation, as the spiders did not spread and could be easily eradicated.
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Violin spiders are not aggressive and unlikely to bite
Violin spiders, also known as brown recluse spiders, are venomous and can cause serious harm to humans. They are, however, generally not aggressive and are unlikely to bite unless they feel provoked or threatened. They are known to hide in clothing, behind furnishings, and in attics and wall voids, and they are shy of humans, typically scurrying away when they see a person.
Violin spiders are identifiable by their violin-shaped marking, with the neck pointing backward. They are typically light to medium brown but can range from whitish to dark brown or blackish-grey. They are between 6 and 20 millimetres long, although some sources state they are 7 to 12 millimetres long. They have six eyes, arranged in three groups of two, and lack spines on their legs.
The venom of the violin spider contains the dermonecrotic agent sphingomyelinase D, which causes tissue death and can lead to large, infected wounds. It is important to seek medical attention if bitten by a violin spider, as their bites can cause serious health issues and even death.
Despite their potentially dangerous venom, violin spiders are not known to be aggressive and will only bite when they feel threatened. They are not known to actively hunt humans and generally try to avoid them. This makes it unlikely that a person will be bitten by a violin spider, especially if they take precautions such as checking clothing and shoes before putting them on and inspecting dark corners of the house where spiders may hide.
In summary, while violin spiders possess a potent venom, they are not aggressive by nature and are unlikely to bite unless they feel threatened. Taking simple precautions can further reduce the already low risk of being bitten by this spider.
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Violin spiders are found in every province in South Africa
Violin spiders, also known as brown spiders, fiddle-backs, or reapers, are members of the Loxosceles genus. They are venomous spiders known for their bite, which can cause tissue damage and should be treated as an open wound. While violin spiders are typically not aggressive, their bites can result in a mild reaction with symptoms such as itchiness, redness, and a mild lesion. In more extreme cases, the bite may cause a deep, slow-healing wound that may scar and could lead to secondary infections.
In South Africa, there are around 20 to 30 species of violin spiders, and they are found in every province. They are most commonly found in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, where they prefer to live under rocks and logs, under tree bark, in old termite mounds, mammal burrows, and caves. However, some species, such as Loxosceles parramae, have been known to inhabit homes in the Gauteng and Free State provinces, hiding in cupboards, drawers, and behind picture frames.
The South African violin spiders are typically brown or grey, with spots or markings on their abdomen. They have the characteristic dark brown to black violin-shaped markings on the carapace, which is the hard covering over their head and thorax. These spiders are similar in appearance to Daddy-Long-Legs, although their legs are not as long or thin.
While there are no recorded deaths from violin spider bites in South Africa, it is important to exercise caution and seek medical attention if bitten. The therapy for their bites focuses on preventing and treating secondary infections, as there is currently no antivenom medicine available.
It is worth noting that violin spiders are often confused with Brown Recluse spiders, which are native to the United States and have been introduced to ports in Australia. The Brown Recluse spider also has a violin shape on its body, but it is a different species from the violin spiders found in South Africa.
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Frequently asked questions
No, violin spiders are not found in Australia. However, the Chilean recluse spider (L. laeta), which is a related species of the brown recluse or 'violin' spider, has been introduced to Australia.
Violin spiders are brown or grey and have spots or markings on their abdomen. They have a violin-shaped marking on the dorsal surface of their cephalothorax (fused head and thorax) with the neck of the violin pointing towards the abdomen. They are similar in appearance to Daddy-Long-Legs, although their legs are shorter and thicker.
Violin spiders are found in Southern Africa, in every province of the country but most commonly in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. They are typically found in caves, under rocks and logs, under the bark of trees, in old termite mounds, old mammal burrows, and in garages and houses.
Yes, violin spiders are considered dangerous as their bites can result in tissue damage and should be treated as open wounds. Their bites are usually not painful and may feel like a mosquito bite, but they can cause deep, slow-healing wounds that may scar. There is no antivenom medicine for violin spider bites, so the treatment involves preventing and treating secondary infection of the wound.
