Wolf spider vs brown recluse: what’s the difference? When it comes to spiders, two of the more commonly mentioned species are the wolf spider and the brown recluse. Both of these spiders are capable of producing a painful bite, and can easily be confused with one another. However, there are some important differences between them that you should be aware of. Wolf spiders are typically larger and more aggressive, while brown recluses are smaller and more timid.
Additionally, wolf spiders are often found in open areas and will sometimes wander into houses, whereas brown recluses tend to hide in dark, undisturbed places. Knowing the differences between these two spiders can help you to better identify them, and also avoid any painful encounters with either of them!
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What are wolf spiders?
Wolf spiders are a group of species that are often mistaken for black widow spiders, though they are not related to them at all. Unlike black widows, wolf spiders are common in the northeastern United States, and are also found in the west. They have a shiny, dark brown or black body, and a leg span of about an inch or more.
Wolf spiders can be found in many different types of habitats, including fields, meadows, forests, and gardens. They hunt at night, and are commonly found near outdoor lights, or entering homes and gardens during the warmer months.
Wolf spiders are considered to be one of the most venomous spiders in the world. Their venom is stronger than a black widow’s, but they don’t deliver it in large quantities, so it’s less likely to cause a reaction in people. Wolf spider bites are painful, and will often swell, itch, and leave a small red mark. These bites can be dangerous for small children and those who are allergic to spider bites, but for most people, the pain will subside after a few hours.
What are brown recluses?
Brown recluses are a species of spiders that are found primarily in the midwest and southern U.S. They aren’t big, often sizing in at about 1/4 to 1/2 inches long. They are typically a dark brown to reddish in color.
These spiders are commonly found in and around houses, but they can also be found in wood piles and other dark places. Unlike wolf spiders, recluses are not frequently found indoors.
Brown recluses are timid spiders and will try to flee if they are disturbed. They will bite if threatened. Fortunately, bites from recluses are very uncommon and are often mistaken for other types of insect bites. But watch out, recluse bites are still technically venomous.
Their bites can cause swelling, redness, and pain, but in most cases will heal on their own without medical intervention. However, bites from brown recluses can be dangerous to small children, infants, and people with compromised immune systems. In these situations, the bite can cause a serious infection that requires medical attention.
Differences in size
Wolf spiders are generally larger than brown recluses. Wolf spiders have a leg span that can reach up to an inch or more, while recluses have a leg span of less than 1 centimeter. This difference in size is important because it can help you to differentiate between wolf spiders and brown recluses. If you see a spider around your home that has a leg span of more than an inch, it’s more than likely a wolf spider.
Wolf spiders are more commonly found outside in gardens and other open areas, while recluses are more commonly found in wood piles, and other places that aren’t as easily accessible. As their name implies, they are quite reclusive!
Differences in habitat
Wolf spiders are typically found in open places, near outdoor lights, and in gardens, fields, and meadows. They occasionally come in side, but it isn’t common unless the building is near the wilderness or has a serious pest problem.
Brown recluses, on the other hand, tend to be found in dark, undisturbed places such as wood piles and forests. Wolf spiders are also more active during the day than brown recluses, which prefer the dark.
Differences in behavior
Wolf spiders are active hunters, and will actively pursue their prey. They typically hunt during the day, and often chase after their victims with fast, erratic movements. Wolf spiders are also highly territorial, and will defend their territory against other wolf spiders, as well as other species of spiders. Unlike brown recluses, wolf spiders have been known to enter homes during the warmer months. They aren’t usually found in dark undisturbed places, and aren’t as timid as brown recluses.
Brown recluses, on the other hand, are more timid, and prefer to ambush their prey rather than hunt it down. Recluses don’t actively pursue their victims, but instead wait in a place where they are likely to find their prey. Brown recluses are very territorial, but they don’t aggressively defend their territory like wolf spiders. This means that recluses are more likely to flee than to fight if disturbed. Recluses are also more likely to be found in dark, undisturbed places than wolf spiders, meaning that they are less likely to be seen by people.
Differences in venom
Wolf spiders are considered to be one of the most venomous spiders in the world. Their venom is actually stronger than a black widow’s, but they don’t deliver it in large quantities, so it’s less likely to cause a reaction in people.
However, wolf spiders don’t always deliver a large amount of venom with each bite. Wolf spider bites are painful and will often swell, itch, and leave a small red mark. These bites can be dangerous for small children and those who are allergic to spider bites, but for most people the pain will subside after a few hours.
Brown recluses, on the other hand, are a less venomous species. While they can cause a painful bite, their venom is less likely to cause a severe reaction in people. Recluse bites can cause a large, painful, red mark that may itch or burn, but they aren’t generally dangerous unless you have an allergy to the spider’s venom.
What to do if you’re bitten
If you ever believe that you’ve been bitten by a spider, it’s important to clean the bite, and then monitor it for signs of infection. Bites from both wolf spiders and brown recluses can cause an infection, but this is more likely to occur if you have an allergy to spider venom. If you have an allergy to spider bites, it’s important to seek medical attention if you believe you’ve been bitten.
If you aren’t sure what type of spider bit you, you can try to capture the spider and bring it with you to the doctor’s office. Obviously, please be careful with this, and keep in mind that a photo might suffice too. The spider can then be identified and its venom type can be determined. If you aren’t able to bring the spider with you, you can also try to identify the type of spider that bit you based on its appearance.
If you have a pet that’s been bitten, check out this article from Canine Journal that can show you how to treat it!
Conclusion
Wolf spiders and brown recluses are both spiders that are capable of producing a painful bite, and can easily be confused with one another. However, there are some important differences between them, including their size, habitat, behavior, and venom. Wolf spiders are larger, and more aggressive than brown recluses. They are also more likely to be found in open areas, and are more active during the day.
Brown recluses, on the other hand, are smaller and more timid, which makes them less likely to bite or to even be seen by people. Although wolf spiders can occasionally be found inside homes, they aren’t as timid as brown recluses, which are less likely to be found indoors.
