Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider: Differences, Facts with Pictures

The key differences between the wolf spider and the brown recluse spider lie in their sizes, colors, legs, behavior, habitat, and toxicity. Whereas there is only one species of the brown recluse spider, there are about 2900 species of the wolf spider. The brown recluse spider is found in the southern and midwestern United States while the wolf spider is found all over the world. Their Classification is as in the table below:

What is a Brown Recluse Spider?

The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is a venomous spider that is native to the central and southern United States. It is also known as the fiddle-back spider or violin spider because of the dark brown violin-shaped marking on its back. There is only one species of brown recluse spider.

Brown recluse spiders are typically between 5 and 20 millimeters (0.2 and 0.8 inches) long but can grow larger. They are pale tan to dark brown in color, with uniformly colored legs.

What is a Wolf Spider?

The wolf spider is a member of the family Lycosidae, a large and widespread group of spiders found all over the world. They are so named for their wolf-like hunting behavior, which involves chasing and pouncing on their prey. There are several species of wolf spiders.

Wolf spiders are typically medium-sized spiders, with body lengths ranging from about 0.5 to 2 inches (13 to 50 millimeters). They have long, thin legs and are often covered in hairs. They are usually black, or gray, with light and dark markings but Some species have brightly colored markings, such as red, orange, or yellow.

Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider: Differences

The key differences between the wolf spider and the brown recluse spider lie in their sizes, colors, legs, behavior, habitat, and venom (toxicity. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the brown recluse spider and the wolf spider.

The key differences between these two types of spiders can be broken down into 7 main areas:

Appearance

The brown recluse spider is small, typically measuring about 0.2 to 0.7 inches in length. It has very long crabwise smooth legs that do not have hooks.  It is light brown in color, with a violin-shaped mark on its back. The violin mark is not always visible, and it can be difficult to see in small spiders. The brown recluse spider has six eyes, arranged in three pairs. The two pairs of lateral eyes are larger than the pair of median eyes.

On the other hand, a wolf spider is a large spider with a hairy body that is about 0.5 to 2 inches (1.3 to 5.1 cm) long. They have long well-spread hairy legs with some hooks. It is usually brown, black, or gray in color and typically patterned on its back. It has eight eyes arranged in two rows of four. The two pairs of lateral eyes are larger than the pair of median eyes.

Behavior

Brown recluse spiders are not fast insects, but they can move quickly in short bursts in any direction, but especially forward. They can also jamb short distances and climb walls and other surfaces. The spiders are typically shy and reclusive, and they will only bite if they feel threatened. They are not aggressive spiders and will not bite unless they are provoked.

Brown recluse spiders mate during the spring and summer months. The male spider approaches the female with a courtship dance involving waving his front legs and abdomen in the air. If the female spider is receptive, she will allow the male to mate with her. The female spider lays eggs in an egg sac and attaches it to a surface. The young ones disperse just after hatching, without staying with their mother.

Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. However, they can also be active during the day, especially in dark, undisturbed areas. They are very good at hiding. They will bite their prey, injecting their venom into it. This will paralyze the prey, making it easier for the spider to eat. They prey on a variety of insects, including crickets, cockroaches, flies, beetles, and other spiders.

Brown recluse spiders produce a silken web that provides a hiding and resting place. They may also line their egg sacs on the web or use it to wrap their prey for easy transportation. However, they do not use the web for trapping their prey.

On the other hand, wolf spiders are fast and agile insects and can move quickly in any direction, using their long legs to jump and climb. They can be aggressive towards humans but seek to run away when disturbed. However, they may bite if deliberately or accidentally provoked. They are most likely to bite if they are trapped or crushed against the skin or handled directly.

Wolf spiders mate during the summer months. The male spider will approach the female spider and perform a courtship dance. If the female spider is receptive, she will allow the male to mate with her. The female spider will lay eggs and carry them in an egg sac. She will also care for her young for a few weeks after they hatch, protecting them from predators and helping them to find food.

Wolf spiders are active both during the day and night. They are most active at dawn and dusk, but they can be seen at any time of day. They hunt actively, using their keen eyesight and speed to catch their prey. They will often chase down their prey, or they will lie in wait and ambush it. They are also good at hiding and camouflaging, making them difficult to see. They prey on insects, spiders, and other small animals.

Habitat

Brown recluse spiders are typically found in dark, undisturbed places around human habitations such as basements, closets, garages, and crawl spaces. However, they can also live outdoors, in places like woodpiles, under rocks, and in leaves.

Wolf spiders are found in a wide range of habitats, usually away from human habitation, with plenty of prey. They are typically found in fields, gardens, forests, grasslands, and deserts.

Reproduction

Female brown recluse spiders typically lay their eggs in a silken sac in a dark, undisturbed place. They attach the sac to a surface or hide in a crack or crevice.  The egg sac is typically about 5/8 inch (1.6 cm) in diameter and is flat on the bottom and convex on top. The egg sac contains about 30-50 eggs.

The eggs hatch after about a month. The spiderlings are about 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) long when they hatch. They disperse and fend for themselves. The spiderlings go through several molts before they reach adulthood. The brown recluse spider can live for up to 3 years.

On the other hand, female wolf spiders lay their eggs in an egg sac that is attached to their abdomen by a silken thread. They carry the egg sacs attached to their abdomen until the spiderlings hatch. The egg sac is typically about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter and is made of silk. The egg sac can contain anywhere from 50 to 400 eggs.

The spiderlings hatch after about a month. They stay with their mother hanging on her back as she moves from place to place for a few weeks after they hatch. The mother spider protects her young and helps them to find food. The spiderlings disperse and fend for themselves after they leave their mother.

Toxicity

Both brown recluse and wolf spiders have venom that can affect humans, though to different degrees of severity. The venom of the brown recluse spider is necrotic, meaning it can cause tissue death. The venom of the wolf spider is not necrotic, but it can cause some discomfort, such as redness and swelling.

In general, the bite of a wolf spider is not considered to be medically significant. However, some people may experience more severe symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and headache. If you are bitten by a wolf spider and experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.

However, the bite of a brown recluse spider can be more serious, especially in children and people with weakened immune systems. The bite may cause a small, red welt that develops into a blister. The blister may then turn black and necrotic. In some cases, the bite can lead to serious medical complications, such as infection or sepsis.

If you are bitten by a brown recluse spider, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. The venom of the brown recluse spider can cause serious health problems, including tissue death, necrosis, and infection.

Types (Species)

There is only one species of brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa. It is found in the southern and midwestern United States, as well as parts of Mexico and Central America.

On the other hand, there are about 2,900 species of wolf spiders in the world. They are found on every continent except Antarctica. Wolf spiders are the largest family of spiders in the world.

The largest species of wolf spider is the Goliath birdeater, which is found in South America. It can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length. The smallest species of wolf spider is the Microhexura NWA, which is found in North America. It is only about 0.08 inches (2 mm) in length.

Distribution

The brown recluse spider is found in the southern and midwestern United States. It is most common in the states of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The brown recluse spider has also been found in other states, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Wisconsin.

Wolf spiders are found all over the world, except for Antarctica. They are most common in warm and temperate regions, but they can also be found in cold regions, such as the Arctic. They are found in all 50 states of the USA and most of the other countries in North America. They are also found in most countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.

Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider: Similarities

Brown recluse spiders and wolf spiders also have a number of similarities. Some of the seminaries are obvious ones such as they are both animals, insects, and spiders with 6 legs. However, it is important to highlight the following similarities:

• Both wolf spiders and brown recluse spiders are solitary. They do not live in groups or colonies. Each spider lives alone and takes care of itself.
• Both have venom and can bite. However, the venom of the brown recluse spider is more potent than the venom of the wolf spider.

How to Distinguish Between a Brown Recluse Spider and a Wolf Spider

For various reasons, you may want to find out whether a spider is a brown recluse or a wolf spider. You can use for following easy characteristics together with the images provided to tale them apart:

1. Size: Brown recluse spiders are typically about 0.5 inches long, while wolf spiders can grow up to 2 inches long.
2. Color: Brown recluse spiders have a light brown body with a violin-shaped marking on the back. The violin marking is usually darker than the rest of the body and has a lighter stripe down the middle. Wolf spiders are typically brown or black, and they do not have any markings on their body.
3. Legs: Brown recluse spiders have short and stubby legs. Wolf spiders have long and thin legs.
4. Web: Brown recluse spiders build a small, inconspicuous web. The web is typically found in dark, undisturbed places, such as basements, closets, and crawl spaces. Wolf spiders do not build a web. They are active hunters and they do not need to rely on a web to catch their prey.
5. Habitat: Brown recluse spiders are typically found in dark, undisturbed places, such as basements, closets, and crawl spaces. Wolf spiders are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts.
6. Venom: The venom of the brown recluse spider can cause a serious skin infection called necrotic arachnidism. The infection can cause pain, swelling, and a blackened area of skin. The venom of the wolf spider is not usually harmful to humans. However, some people may experience mild symptoms, such as redness and swelling, if they are bitten.

How To Prevent Brown Recluse and Wolf Spider Bites

Here are some tips to help you prevent brown recluse and wolf spider bites:

• Use gloves: Wear gloves and long sleeves when working in dark, undisturbed areas or areas where spiders are common.
• Inspect your belongings regularly for spiders. If you find a spider, you can remove it using a vacuum cleaner.
• Seal up any cracks or holes in your home’s foundation or exterior. This will prevent spiders from getting into your home.
• Keep your home clean and free of clutter. This will make it less likely that spiders will find a place to hide.
• Avoid reaching into dark, undisturbed places where spiders may be hiding.
• If you see a spider, do not try to catch or sweep it away with your hands. This could make it more likely that you will be bitten.

If you are bitten by a brown recluse spider, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. There is no specific treatment for brown recluse bites, but antibiotics and pain medication can help to relieve symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the dead tissue.

In case you are bitten by a wolf spider, it is important to clean the wound with soap and water. You can also apply a cold compress to help reduce the swelling. If you experience any serious symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or headache, you should seek medical attention.