Brown Recluse Spiders in Pennsylvania
The brown recluse spider, or loxosceles reclusa, is one of two common poisonous spiders in the United States. The other is the black widow. Although the brown recluse's name strikes fear, most of the population lives outside its normal range, including residents of Pennsylvania. Other spiders may be mistaken for brown recluses, so proper identification is important.
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Description
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Brown recluse spiders have a brown color described as chocolate. They have a body length of 9 millimeters, or .35 inches, with very long thin legs. A distinctive feature most reliable in identifying characteristics is the six eyes, or three eyes with a pair in each one, arranged as the three points on a triangle. The other identifying feature is the "violin-shaped" markings on the spider. The large part of the violin is behind the eyes while the neck extends backward. Male and female brown recluses have no apparent differences in appearance.
Range
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Brown recluse spiders typically inhabit less harsh climates. According to Penn State University's Department of Agricultural Sciences, Entomology, the spiders have established in 15 states, ranging from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in the west to Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia in the south. Its northern range has reached Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Other states listed by Penn State include Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana and Tennessee. You can occasionally find brown recluse spiders in other states, but typically are rare outside their current range.
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Sightings
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Spotting a brown recluse in Pennsylvania would not be a common occurrence. According to Penn State, they cannot survive in the climate unless they remain in heated structures. The spider would have to be introduced by transportation in a box from an established state or by some other means that keeps the spider healthy. According to an article at the University of California-Riverside addressing the possibility of brown recluses in California, other spiders are often misidentified as brown recluses. The same reasoning applies in Pennsylvania. Most brown recluse sightings in Pennsylvania are probably another type of spider.
Danger
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If a brown recluse bites you, you may not feel much pain. The real danger from the venom is its ability to destroy tissue. Following a bite, a blister-like sore appears and grows. Its size depends upon the amount of venom injected. Symptoms include chills, fever, fatigue, nausea, pain in joints and fever. The sore eventually turns black and falls off, leaving a depression and scar tissue. Expect six to eight weeks for a small area and up to one year for a large wound. Get medical treatment.
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