Brown Recluse

The Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa), is one of the most dangerous spiders in Indiana. Its bite carries necrotic venom, which can result in vomiting, fever, nausea, and even death. Female brown recluses are often larger than males, reaching between 6 and 20 millimeters in length overall. Although they have a variety of appearances, most specimens have a bright, dark, or grey color to them. They are also known by the names fiddleback spider or violin spider because they often have a dark marking in the shape of a violin.

Brown recluses prefer to reside in dank, dark places like woodpiles, garages, and closets. They create asymmetrical webs, but they don't use them to capture prey. Instead, they go hunting at night after leaving their webs.