Brown Recluse--Tom S., Austin, TX 120908 pg 2: The images at right are enlargements of the photograph Tom sent in on 120908, showing the dorsal body and the anterior pars cephalica. Though the original photo was of high quality, further enlarging the pars cephalica provides little added detail of the spider's eyes. As with the recluse spider photographed by Ralph E., in Wichita Falls, hairs obscure the eyes. Thus, although "the best way to identify a recluse spider is to count its eyes," sometimes getting a good count isn't possible. Tom is keeping the specimen alive in a secure terrarium, the floor of which is strewn with leaves, and he plans to take close up photos--of the anterior portion of the pars cephalica and other portions of the spider's anatomy--after the holidays. Whether our inability to discern the eye structure for this specimen is due to unusually small eyes, or an unusually hairy pars cephalica, is not certain. It is curious that both specimens of recluse spiders sent in to me exhibit this feature. REGARDING RECLUSE SPIDERS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS: I am not aware of any infestations of recluse spiders anywhere in Central Texas. Tom didn't say where the box with this specimen came from, but he has not reported finding others in his home, and this is likely an isolated import from another locale where recluse spiders are common ---- NEXT PAGE under construction ----- PAGE MENU: 1 * 2 *  ----- * TERMITE ENCOUNTERS  *  SNAKE ENCOUNTERS * SNAKE BITE FIRST AID * SNAKE EXCLUSION * SPIDER ENCOUNTERS FOR 2008 *  SPIDER ENCOUNTERS FOR 2007 * SPIDER BITE FIRST AID * SPIDER EXTERMINATION * PUSS CATERPILLAR ENCOUNTERS * PUSS CATERPILLAR FIRST AID * PUSS CATERPILLAR EXTERMINATION *  Assembled & Edited by Jerry Cates. Questions? Corrections? Comments? BUG ME RIGHT NOW! ---- Ph: 512-331-1111 ---- E-Mail ---- Privacy ----BugsInTheNews * --0a0s--