For many New Jersey residents, the sight of a brown spider can trigger immediate concern about the brown recluse. Understanding the true presence and characteristics of the brown recluse in New Jersey can alleviate much of this common anxiety. This article clarifies where these spiders are typically found, how to identify them, and what to do if a spider bite occurs.
Brown Recluse Geographic Distribution
The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is native to the south-central United States. Its established range primarily covers states like Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, and parts of Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. New Jersey falls outside this native habitat.
While individual brown recluse spiders can be transported to New Jersey (e.g., in moving boxes), these are isolated incidents. They do not lead to established breeding populations. Therefore, encountering a brown recluse spider in New Jersey is highly unlikely.
Distinguishing Features of Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown recluse spiders have several unique physical characteristics. They are typically light to medium brown, though their color can range from whitish to dark brown or grayish-black. Their body, excluding legs, usually measures between 0.24 and 0.79 inches (6 to 20 millimeters), with a total leg span roughly the size of a U.S. quarter.
A notable feature is the dark, violin-shaped marking on the top of their cephalothorax (fused head and thorax). The “neck” of this violin shape points towards the spider’s abdomen. Brown recluse spiders possess six eyes arranged in three pairs in a semicircle pattern, unlike most spiders that have eight eyes. Their legs are uniformly colored without stripes or bands and are covered in fine hairs.
Spiders Often Mistaken for Brown Recluse in New Jersey
Many brown spiders found in New Jersey are frequently misidentified as brown recluses. Wolf spiders, common residents of New Jersey, can be quite large (up to 1.5 inches) and have a hairy appearance. Unlike the brown recluse’s six eyes, wolf spiders have eight eyes arranged in a specific pattern and do not possess the violin marking.
Common house spiders are often confused with brown recluses due to their dull brown coloration. These spiders, widespread in New Jersey, typically have eight eyes and often build messy, tangled webs, differing from the brown recluse’s hunting behavior. Yellow sac spiders are smaller (about a quarter-inch long) and spin silky sacs in corners and crevices, lacking the distinct violin shape and eye arrangement of a brown recluse.
Responding to Suspected Spider Bites
Most spider bites are not serious and typically result in minor symptoms like redness, swelling, and pain that resolve on their own. If a spider bite is suspected, clean the affected area with mild soap and water. Apply a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the bite for 15 minutes each hour to help reduce pain and swelling. Elevating the bitten area can also be beneficial.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can manage discomfort, and antihistamines may help with itching or swelling. Seek medical attention immediately if the bite causes severe pain, spreading redness or red streaks, signs of infection like yellow discharge or fever, or systemic symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe muscle pain, or nausea and vomiting. While brown recluse bites are rare in New Jersey, seek professional medical advice for any concerning spider bite, especially if the spider can be safely captured for identification.