Brown Recluse Has Eight Legs; Cellar Spider Preys on Venomous Spiders

The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) possesses eight legs, a characteristic of all arachnids that distinguishes it from insects. Identification features include a violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax, six eyes arranged in three pairs, and a body length of ¼ to ½ inch.

Cellar spiders (family Pholcidae) have been documented killing venomous spiders such as black widows, redbacks, and brown widows. They subdue prey by rapidly wrapping it in silk before delivering a bite; their venom is not unusually potent. Their fangs, about 0.25 mm long, are comparable in size to those of the brown recluse. Human bites from cellar spiders typically cause brief burning or stinging sensations without serious medical effects.