A subset of 95 of these bites was reported in the 21 counties essentially central florida under the jurisdiction of the regional poison control center in tampa. Reported cases of brown recluse bites occur primarily in arkansas colorado kansas missouri nebraska oklahoma and texas.
Brown Recluse Spider Loxosceles Reclusa Gertsch And Mulaik
Still there have been an overwhelming number of reported brown recluse spider bites in the last decade.
Are there brown recluse in florida. Florida brown recluse believe it or not there is no abundance of the florida brown recluse despite what many would have you believe. Here s some information about recluse spiders that are sometimes found in florida. Three species of recluse spiders have been found in florida.
For example in the year 2000 alone loft 2001 reported that the florida poison control network had recorded nearly 300 alleged cases of brown recluse bites in the state. The brown recluse spider is also known as loxosceles reclusa. Here s one example kukulcania hibernalis the southern house spider aka crevice spider aka that brown hairless looking spider that comes charging out of your car s doorframe or windshield wipers when you try to drive to work in the morning.
The lighter colored males are. No breeding populations of these species reside in any florida county in a natural habitat. Brown recluse spider probably not.
The brown recluse spider is a species of venomous spider that along with other species of venomous spiders prefer to live in very warm climates like the tropical subtropical climate that is found throughout south florida. The brown recluse has been found in alachua bay duval jefferson and leon counties with most counties in central florida having reports of alleged brown recluse spider bites. This is not true.
There are other spiders found in florida that share some characteristics with the brown recluse the same approximate size and color similar habits. Did you know there are no brown recluse populations in florida. There have been many reports of brown recluse bites in california though a few related species may be found there none of these are known to bite humans.
The males and females are about the same size. The brown recluse spider loxosceles reclusa gertsch mulaik is frequently reported in florida as a cause of necrotic lesions in humans. Very rarely the brown recluse is accidentally transported here from its natural habitat in a northern or midwestern state.
The popular belief is there s an abundance of brown recluse spiders living freely in florida. While no species of brown recluse spider is native to florida several species have been introduced into the state and have established populations. Three species of recluse reside in florida the mediterranean recluse the chilean recluse and the brown recluse.
Photograph by james l. Castner university of florida. The size of the brown recluse spider may vary however the average size of an adult with its legs extended is about the size of a quarter.
According to the department of entomology at penn state the brown recluse is established in 15 states and can be found across the country in climates that range from the high humidity of florida to the arid desert regions of arizona and the cooler temperatures of the midwest. Many wounds are erroneously attributed to this spider but there are multiple other causes of necrotic wounds. Recluse spiders are medium sized 6 12 mm body length with uniformly colored abdomens that can vary from a tan to dark brown.
Their relatively short life cycle 1 2 years means they won t last long even if they found florida to their liking.
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