Hobo Spider Vs Brown Recluse ( Identify The Differences )

How can you tell the differences between a hobo spider and a brown recluse spider? In this post, we will compare the two animals, and at the end, you will be able to identify each of these creatures.

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However, before we begin the face-off, let’s start this way:

An Overview Of Hobo Spider

The Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis) belongs to the family of funnel-web spiders. Constructing funnel-shaped silk webs, these spiders lie in wait at the small end of the funnel, ready to ambush gullible prey insects.

While sometimes found in or around human habitations, Hobo Spiders prefer fields and woods for their homes.

The species was first described in 1802 by naturalist Charles Athanase Walckenaer as Aranea agrestis, referring to its habitat in fields, woods, and under rocks in western Europe. And later in 1841, it was transferred to the genus Tegenaria.

However, in 2013, the genus Tegenaria was split, and the hobo spider found its new home in the genus Eratigena, formed as an anagram of Tegenaria.

Identifying hobo spiders can be challenging, as they vary considerably in appearance. Their bodies range from 7 to 14 mm in length and are generally brownish.

Identification requires a microscopic examination of their anatomy, focusing on the female and male sex organs, known as the epigynum and palpal bulb, respectively.

Regardless, several characteristics distinguish hobo spiders:

• Lack of colored bands where the leg joints meet, which is common in many spiders of the family Agelenidae.
• V-shaped chevron patterns down the middle of the abdomen, pointing towards the head.
• A light stripe runs down the middle of the sternum, as opposed to three or four pairs of light spots on the lateral portions, found in related Eratigena species.
• Diffused patterns on the top side of the cephalothorax, unlike other spiders with two separate longitudinal dark stripes.

Furthermore, Eratigena agrestis is native to Europe and Central Asia but has also been found in western North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest and Great Basin regions.

And these creatures mostly avoid human habitations and love to be in a field. Due to this behavior, human encounters with hobo spiders are rare in Europe.

These spiders build horizontal, trampoline-like webs near brick walls to cover themselves while waiting for prey. The toxicity and aggression of the hobo spider have been the subject of much debate, with some claiming it to be dangerously venomous.

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In the 1990s, the CDC reported isolated cases of necrosis in people attributed to hobo spider bites, but it no longer lists the hobo spider among venomous species.

In Canada, there is no evidence to suggest that hobo spider bites cause skin necrosis.

It is important to note that bites reportedly from the closely related desert grass spider (Agelenopsis aperta) may have been wrongly reported and could have been from hobo spiders instead.

An Overview Of Brown Recluse Spider

The Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) is a reclusive spider known for its necrotic venom.Like other recluse spiders, its bites can sometimes require medical attention.

And among North American spiders, the Brown Recluse is one of the three species with toxic venom, alongside the black widow and the Chilean recluse.

Brown Recluse spiders typically measure between 6 and 20 millimeters (0.24 and 0.79 inches), although some individuals may grow larger.

They range in color from light to medium brown, and their cephalothorax and abdomen might not be the same color.

The feature of the Brown Recluse is the violin-shaped marking on its dorsal cephalothorax, with the neck of the violin pointing towards the rear of the spider.

Unlike most spiders, the Brown Recluse possesses an unusual characteristic with only six eyes, arranged in pairs known as dyads.

It consists of one median pair and two lateral pairs, setting it apart from the typical eight-eyed arrangement found in many other spider species. This collection is a helpful identifier, as only a few other spiders possess three pairs of eyes in this manner.

The violin marking on its cephalothorax may differ in intensity depending on the spider’s age, with mature spiders generally displaying darker violin shapes.

The Brown Recluse primarily occupies regions south from southeastern Nebraska through southern Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana to southwestern Ohio.

In the southern states, it can be found from central Texas to western Georgia and north to Kentucky. Contrary to rumors, the Brown Recluse has not been able to establish populations in California or any areas beyond its native range.

There are other species of the genus Loxosceles native to the southwestern United States, including California, but human-recluse interactions are rare due to the species’ natural range lying outside densely populated areas.

Moreover, the Brown Recluse spiders construct asymmetrical and irregular webs, incorporating a shelter of tangled threads within their design.

They prefer dry and cool places such as woodpiles, sheds, closets, garages, and cellars. Far from most web-weaving spiders, Brown Recluses leave their lairs at night to hunt.

However, males are more active hunters compared to females, which tend to stay nearer to their webs. The Brown Recluse is not aggressive by nature and usually bites only when pressed against the skin, such as when it becomes tangled within clothes, shoes, towels, or bedding.

Contrary to popular belief, their fangs are not large enough to penetrate most fabric. Also, the venom of the Brown Recluse contains a potent dermonecrotic agent called sphingomyelinase D, capable of causing necrotic lesions around the bite site.

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While most bites are minor and do not result in dermonecrosis, a small percentage can cause loxoscelism, a condition characterized by skin tissue destruction.

Loxoscelism can also include systemic symptoms like fever, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, Brown Recluse bites can lead to hemolysis, low platelet levels, blood clots, organ damage, and even death.

Plus misdiagnosis of Brown Recluse bites is common, as many other conditions can produce wounds similar in appearance to recluse bites.

Conditions like pyoderma gangrenosum, bacterial infections, fungal infections, chemical burns, and toxicodendron dermatitis are often initially mistaken for recluse bites.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium with necrotic lesions similar to recluse bites, is often misdiagnosed as spider bites and can have fatal consequences if left untreated.

6 Ways To Tell The Differences Between Hobo Spider And Brown Recluse Spider

When locating spiders in their natural habitats or even within the confines of our homes, it is essential to distinguish between different species to ensure our safety.

These two spiders are commonly uncovered in certain regions of the United States. While their appearances may seem similar, there are several crucial differences that can help us identify and differentiate between them.

Below, I have outlined five ways to tell the differences between the Hobo spider and the Brown recluse spider.

1. Geography

Hobo spider is primarily found in the Pacific Northwest, traveling from British Columbia to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon, and northern Utah.

Brown recluse spider is typically located in the South Central and Midwestern regions of the United States.

2. Origin

The Hobo spider originating from Europe, likely introduced through human activities.

Brown recluse spiders are native to the United States and have been a part of the country’s ecosystem for an extended period.

3. Appearance

The Hobo spider shows a brown body with noticeable brownish-yellow markings on its abdomen.

In contrast, the Brown recluse spider is predominantly brown in color and can be easily recognized by the unique, darker violin-shaped mark on its back.

4. Venom

According to the CDC, the Hobo spider’s venom is not considered toxic to humans, and its bites are generally not a cause for concern in terms of toxicity.

Then again, the venom of the Brown recluse spider, as reported by the CDC, can be far more hazardous and may cause severe skin necrosis, resulting in the destruction of skin tissue around the bite site.

5. Size And Prey Hunting Behavior

Hobo spiders are typically about the size of a nickel, and their legs tend to be shorter compared to other spider species. Adult Brown recluse spiders, with their legs spread, are about the size of a U.S. quarter.

Hobo spiders employ funnel-shaped webs to catch their prey, strategically waiting at the end of the funnel for unsuspecting insects to enter.

In difference, Brown recluse spiders actively hunt their prey and do not rely on webs for catching food.

6. Visibility And Behavior

Male Hobo spiders may occasionally wander indoors to find mates, potentially leading to greater human encounters. The Brown recluse spider’s name itself provides a clue to its behavior, as it prefers retreating to dark, hidden areas during the daytime.

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Conclusion

Differentiating between the Hobo spider and the Brown recluse spider is crucial for our safety when locating spiders in their natural habitats or within our homes.

The Hobo spider is primarily found in the Pacific Northwest, originating from Europe, and has brownish-yellow markings on its abdomen.

When compared to the Brown recluse spider, they are commonly found in the South Central and Midwestern regions of the United States, with a different violin-shaped mark on its back.

The venom of the Hobo spider is not considered toxic to humans, while the Brown recluse spider’s venom can cause severe skin necrosis.

Their size, prey hunting behavior, and visibility also offer useful clues for identification.