What spider genus includes the brown recluse?
Answer
Loxosceles
Answer
Loxosceles
What spider genus includes the brown recluse? Loxosceles is the genus that includes the brown recluse.
The brown recluse’s scientific name is Loxosceles reclusa, so Loxosceles is its genus and reclusa its species name. The genus contains recluse spiders found in several regions, including the Mediterranean recluse and other species native to the Americas. They belong to the family Sicariidae.
Brown recluses are usually brown and have six eyes arranged in three pairs, unlike the eight eyes typical of many spiders. Their venom can contain sphingomyelinase D, a toxin associated with tissue damage and the condition loxoscelism. Most suspected bites do not develop into severe necrotic wounds, and the spider is generally shy rather than aggressive.
The violin-shaped marking is a famous nickname clue, but it is not a reliable identification by itself. Other spiders can have similar markings, and brown recluses are frequently reported far outside their established range. Confirming the species requires examining several features, especially the eye arrangement.
Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026