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Loxosceles laeta
The Chilean recluse is one of the larger species of recluse spiders, generally ranging from 8–40 mm in size (including legs). Like most recluses, it is brown and usually has markings on the dorsal side of its thorax, with a black line coming from it that looks like a violin with the neck of the violin pointing to the rear of the spider resulting in the nickname "fiddleback spider" or "violin spider" in English-speaking areas. Coloring varies from light tan to brown and the violin marking may not be visible. Since the "violin pattern" is not diagnostic, it is far more important, for purposes of identification, to examine the eyes. Most spiders have eight eyes, but recluse spiders have 6 eyes arranged in pairs (dyads) with one median pair and 2 lateral pairs.
The Chilean recluse spider is native to South America (it is common in Chile, and can be found throughout South America), and can now be found worldwide, including in North and Central America, Finland, and Australia.
Spotted on Dec 16, 2011
Submitted on Dec 16, 2011
2 Comments
¡Muchas gracias, Isabela!
Hola isscar, enhorabuena por tu interesante colección de fotos de especies.