BROWN SPIDER

any member of the family Loxoscelidae (order Araneida). Loxoscelids are light in colour and about 7 mm (0.25 inch) long; their six eyes are arranged in two rows. They are most common in the western and southern United States. A few species are venomous to manincluding the brown recluse, or violin spider (Loxosceles reclusa), which occurs in the United States. L. reclusa, which has extended its range into parts of the northern United States, has a leg span of about 2.5 cm (1 inch) and a dark violin-shaped design (the neck of which is formed by a conspicuous furrow on the midline) on its lighter back. It is often found under stones or in dark corners inside buildings. The venom of the brown recluse destroys the walls of blood vessels near the site of the bite, sometimes causing a skin ulcer several inches in diameter. The wound, which may require several months to heal, is occasionally fatal.