Desert Recluse

Loxosceles deserta

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Sicariidae
Genus: Loxosceles
Species: deserta

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Loxosceles deserta: //ˌlɒk.səˈsiː.liːz dɪˈzɜːr.tə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Desert Recluse - Loxosceles deserta by DesertTrip. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Loxosceles deserta range by ReliefUSA_map.gif: Public domain, U.S. government
derivative work: Bob the Wikipedian (talk • contribs). Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Desert recluse, Mojave Desert, California (50171192591) by Marshal Hedin from San Diego, USA. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Summary

Loxosceles deserta, or desert recluse, is a recluse spider belonging to the family Sicariidae, predominantly found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Identification Tips

Commonly misidentified as L. unicolor or L. reclusa, two species which do not live in the same region.

Habitat

Prefers wild areas near native vegetation; avoids urban areas and green lawns.

Distribution

Eastern half of southern California, southern tip of Nevada, western half of Arizona, northern, central, eastern, and southwestern New Mexico, southwestern corner of Utah, and northwestern Mexico.

Health Concerns

Lesions of the skin can be caused by the venomous bite of the desert recluse.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Commonly misidentified as L. unicolor or L. reclusa, which inhabit different geographical regions.