In New Jersey, there are several brown spiders that are often mistaken for the infamous brown recluse. Knowing how to identify these lookalikes can help you avoid unnecessary panic. Here’s a comparative guide to the top five brown recluse lookalikes in NJ:
1. Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis)
Body Size and Shape
- Southern House Spider: Males are about 1/2 inch long, while females can be up to 3/4 inch. They have elongated legs and a robust, oval-shaped abdomen.
- Brown Recluse: Typically ranges from 1/4 to 3/4 inch in body length, with a slender and uniform body shape.
Eye Arrangement
- Southern House Spider: Has eight eyes arranged in three groups of two and two individual eyes.
- Brown Recluse: Has six eyes arranged in pairs in a semi-circle.
Coloration and Markings
- Southern House Spider: Generally dark brown or black with no violin-shaped marking.
- Brown Recluse: Light to dark brown with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on its cephalothorax.
Habitat Preferences
- Southern House Spider: Prefers dark, secluded areas such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
- Brown Recluse: Prefers undisturbed areas like woodpiles, closets, and attics.
Geographic Range
- Southern House Spider: Found primarily in the southeastern United States, but can be found in New Jersey.
- Brown Recluse: Native to the central and southern United States, rarely found in New Jersey.
Web-Building Behavior
- Southern House Spider: Builds messy, irregular webs in secluded areas.
- Brown Recluse: Constructs small, irregular webs used as retreats rather than for catching prey.
Venom Effects and Behavior
- Southern House Spider: Non-aggressive with venom that causes minor irritation.
- Brown Recluse: Venom can cause severe necrotic lesions in humans.
2. Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
Body Size and Shape
- Common House Spider: About 1/4 inch in body length with a rounded abdomen.
- Brown Recluse: Larger with a more uniform body shape.
Eye Arrangement
- Common House Spider: Has eight eyes arranged in two rows.
- Brown Recluse: Six eyes in pairs.
Coloration and Markings
- Common House Spider: Brown with various markings on the abdomen.
- Brown Recluse: Uniform brown with a violin-shaped marking.
Habitat Preferences
- Common House Spider: Prefers indoor environments like garages and sheds.
- Brown Recluse: Prefers dark, quiet areas.
Geographic Range
- Common House Spider: Found throughout the United States, including New Jersey.
- Brown Recluse: Central and southern U.S., rarely in New Jersey.
Web-Building Behavior
- Common House Spider: Builds tangled, messy webs.
- Brown Recluse: Constructs irregular webs used as retreats.
Venom Effects and Behavior
- Common House Spider: Non-aggressive, venom causes mild irritation.
- Brown Recluse: Venom can cause necrotic lesions.
3. Desert Recluse (Loxosceles deserta)
Body Size and Shape
- Desert Recluse: Similar size to the brown recluse, 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
- Brown Recluse: Same size range as desert recluse.
Eye Arrangement
- Desert Recluse: Six eyes arranged in pairs (similar to the brown recluse).
- Brown Recluse: Six eyes in pairs.
Coloration and Markings
- Desert Recluse: Light brown with a less distinct violin marking.
- Brown Recluse: Uniform brown with a clear violin marking.
Habitat Preferences
- Desert Recluse: Prefers desert areas, rarely found in New Jersey.
- Brown Recluse: Prefers dark, undisturbed places.
Geographic Range
- Desert Recluse: Southwestern United States, not typically in New Jersey.
- Brown Recluse: Central and southern U.S., rarely in New Jersey.
Web-Building Behavior
- Desert Recluse: Creates irregular webs in secluded areas.
- Brown Recluse: Similar web-building behavior.
Venom Effects and Behavior
- Desert Recluse: Similar venom effects to the brown recluse, causing necrosis.
- Brown Recluse: Venom can cause necrotic lesions.
4. Woodlouse Spider (Dysdera crocata)
Body Size and Shape
- Woodlouse Spider: About 1/2 inch in body length with a distinctive elongated body.
- Brown Recluse: Typically smaller and more uniform in shape.
Eye Arrangement
- Woodlouse Spider: Six eyes arranged in a tight cluster.
- Brown Recluse: Six eyes in pairs.
Coloration and Markings
- Woodlouse Spider: Reddish-brown with a pale abdomen.
- Brown Recluse: Uniform brown with a violin-shaped marking.
Habitat Preferences
- Woodlouse Spider: Found under rocks and logs, sometimes indoors.
- Brown Recluse: Prefers dark, undisturbed places.
Geographic Range
- Woodlouse Spider: Found throughout the United States, including New Jersey.
- Brown Recluse: Central and southern U.S., rarely in New Jersey.
Web-Building Behavior
- Woodlouse Spider: Does not build webs, hunts prey directly.
- Brown Recluse: Constructs small, irregular webs.
Venom Effects and Behavior
- Woodlouse Spider: Non-aggressive, venom causes mild irritation.
- Brown Recluse: Venom can cause necrotic lesions.
5. Arizona Brown Spider (Loxosceles arizonica)
Body Size and Shape
- Arizona Brown Spider: Similar in size to the brown recluse, 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
- Brown Recluse: Same size range as Arizona brown spider.
Eye Arrangement
- Arizona Brown Spider: Six eyes arranged in pairs (similar to the brown recluse).
- Brown Recluse: Six eyes in pairs.
Coloration and Markings
- Arizona Brown Spider: Light brown with a less distinct violin marking.
- Brown Recluse: Uniform brown with a clear violin marking.
Habitat Preferences
- Arizona Brown Spider: Prefers arid, desert-like environments.
- Brown Recluse: Prefers dark, undisturbed places.
Geographic Range
- Arizona Brown Spider: Southwestern United States, not typically in New Jersey.
- Brown Recluse: Central and southern U.S., rarely in New Jersey.
Web-Building Behavior
- Arizona Brown Spider: Creates irregular webs in secluded areas.
- Brown Recluse: Similar web-building behavior.
Venom Effects and Behavior
- Arizona Brown Spider: Similar venom effects to the brown recluse, causing necrosis.
- Brown Recluse: Venom can cause necrotic lesions.
Conclusion
While these brown spiders in New Jersey may resemble the brown recluse, understanding their differences is crucial for accurate identification. If you’re still uncertain about a spider you’ve encountered, contact Allison Pest Control today for a free pest ID.
