Spider Pest Authority
Identification, venom, and range data
Identify
Comparison

Brown Recluse vs. Southern House Spider

Male southern house spiders are the single most-misidentified spider in the U.S. South - long-legged, tan, and they wander indoors. They are not recluses.

Summary

Male southern house spiders have very long legs and a small body but eight eyes in a tight cluster and no violin mark. Females are large, dark, and live in radial silk retreats around windows.

Diagnostic traits

Recluse vs. S. House - side-by-side
TraitBrown RecluseSouthern House Spider
Eyes6 eyes in 3 pairs8 eyes in a tight cluster
ViolinPresentAbsent
Leg : body ratio≈ 2×≈ 3× (males)
RetreatFlat silk sheet in clutterRadiating silk lines from a hole in masonry

The bottom line

At-a-glance comparison

Brown RecluseSouthern House Spider
ScientificLoxosceles reclusaKukulcania hibernalis
FamilySicariidaeFilistatidae
♀ body7–12 mm13–19 mm
Leg span20–30 mm40–50 mm
Range16 U.S. states11 U.S. states
MedicalMedically significantLow