The violin spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is a poisonous creature whose bite can cause severe symptoms in both adults and children. It is an easily identifiable spider because it has only six eyes (most arachnids have eight) and a violin-shaped spot on its back. If you live in a region inhabited by these insects, it is wise to know how to identify them. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing Physical Characteristics
Step 1. Pay attention to the color
A violin spider has a yellowish-brown body like dirt or sand, with a darker mark in the center. The legs are lighter and of uniform color without any particular mark.
- If it has stripes or other markings on its legs, it is not a violin spider;
- If it has more than two shades of color on its body, it is not a violin spider;
- If the legs are darker than the body, it is not a violin spider.
Step 2. Examine the violin-shaped stain
It is slightly darker than the rest of the body, also called the cephalothorax. The shape of the "violin" is not always well defined and sometimes it does not look exactly like the musical instrument.
- Many spiders have similar spots on their bodies, so using this method alone to identify a violin spider isn't enough.
- Again, carefully check the shape of the stain and the colors. If there are different pigmentations, it is not a violin spider.
Step 3. Count the eyes
The violin spider, unlike the others, has only six eyes. They are distributed in pairs, one in the center and two pairs on the sides. Since they are very small, it is difficult to see them without the help of a magnifying glass. If you count eight eyes, it's not a violin spider. Be careful of course while counting them - to avoid getting bitten immediately after counting six.
Step 4. Check the hair
The violin spider has very fine and short hair on its body. Unlike other spiders, it has no thorns on its legs or body. If you notice them, what is in front of you is not a violin spider.
Step 5. Check your body width
The body of the violin spider does not grow beyond 1.2 cm. If the one you are looking at is larger, it is a different type of spider.
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing the Habitat
Step 1. Learn where he lives
It is present throughout the Italian peninsula. In the United States it is present in the southern and central regions, but is also found in northern Mexico. Some specimens have also been found in England. If you don't live in any of these areas, it is unlikely that you will encounter a violin spider, although not impossible.
Step 2. Recognize the places he loves to live
This spider builds its webs in hidden and hardly accessible places. It prefers dry and not very busy areas. Here are some typical spots where you might find one:
- Cracks in the cortex
- Slabs
- Basements
- Storage rooms
- Sheds
- Barns
- Piles of wood
- Shoes
- Dressers
- Bathrooms
- Cardboard boxes
- Behind the paintings
- Unused beds
Step 3. Look for cobwebs
They are soft and sticky, grayish or off-white in color. You will never see the web of a violin spider in the branches of a tree or on the walls, these are typical of other species.
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing a Violin Spider's Bite
Step 1. Be aware of the effects of the bite
Usually, you don't feel pain at first. This means that you may not even notice that you have been bitten for at least eight hours, until the area becomes swollen and red.
Step 2. Note the other symptoms
Sometimes the "wound" of the bite is the worst symptom, but particularly sensitive people and children may develop others. Monitor your physical reactions in case of:
- Chills
- General feeling of being unwell
- Fever
- Nausea
- Sweating
Step 3. See a doctor
The danger related to the violin spider bite is tissue damage and, in rare cases, coma. Go to the emergency room immediately, as soon as you realize you have been bitten, and even more urgently if it is a child or an elderly person. The bite can have very serious effects on these categories of people. While you are waiting for medical attention you can:
- Wash the area with soap and water
- Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes with 10 breaks
- Repeat the packs until you arrive in the emergency room.
Advice
- The access points to your home most commonly used by violin spiders are the ventilation ducts, door gaps, and spaces under fittings. Close the holes and remove / vacuum any dead insects in the house, as they are a food source for the violin spider.
- Shake well any items you have stored and only use for one season, shoes, or anything you store in a dark place, before wearing or handling them.
- It is rare to see a violin spider during the daylight hours.
- Violin spiders typically live for 2-4 years, and are hunted by geckos, crickets, centipedes, and wolf spiders.
Warnings
- If you live in an area where there are a lot of violin spiders, it is wise to shake the blankets and sheets before going to bed. You should also check your shoes and slippers before putting them on; these spiders may crawl inside them at night.
- Spiders can't bite through clothing, so be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves if you're ordering plastic bags, boxes, or other materials.
- The violin spider is not aggressive, it bites because it gets stuck against your skin, often when you roll over in bed or when wearing clothes.
