PB1191-The Brown Recluse Spider

Few things cause as much fear and anxiety in people as the thought of poisonous spiders. Araneophobia, irrational fear of spiders, is widespread in the United States. The brown recluse spider is one of the feared poisonous spiders occurring in Tennessee. This spider is often visualized as an aggressive, bad-tempered monster, just waiting for an opportunity to ambush people. In reality, the brown recluse spider is a shy, retiring spider that does not attack people and usually only bites in response to being injured. Most reported bites occur when putting on old clothing in which the spider is hiding or rolling over on a spider in bed. The brown recluse spider lives up to its name. Most people living in proximity to the spider will never see it, nor be bitten by it.