Mississippi is a state in the United States known for its vibrant music, culture, and natural beauty. It is a wellspring of natural charm, prevalent through notable outdoor attractions like the ancient trees of the Mississippi Petrified Forest and the scenic route of the Natchez Trace Parkway. With these and other diverse environments, like the Mississippi River, wildlife is abundant throughout the state, and so are spiders.
In total, the state houses 29 spiders, out of which most are harmless. That said, four species are known to be venomous and boast tons of unique features, including a potent bite. Let’s delve into these four spider species, from the brown recluse to the Southern black widow, so you know which ones to look out for when out and about in Mississippi.
Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)
The brown recluse spider is a recluse spider prominent in North America. While most common in Nebraska, Texas, Iowa, and Ohio, Mississippi is also home to a notable population of these spiders. As the name suggests, the brown recluse spider boasts a brown coloration throughout its body except for a violin marking on its cephalothorax (where the body attaches to the legs). It can grow up to a size of one inch, and unlike most spiders, this species has six eyes instead of eight.
Brown recluse spiders tend to build their webs in isolated areas, such as sheds, closets, and also cardboard within houses. Due to this, human contact is common, which can sometimes lead to bites. Due to its necrotic venom, a bite from this spider leads to symptoms such as necrosis, pain, vomiting, and, in rare cases, hemolysis (blood clots). If bitten, it is essential to seek immediate medical care, especially if the victim is a child. Thankfully, brown recluses are known to be quite timid and will avoid biting humans. A great example occurred in 2001 when 2,000 of these spiders were removed from a home, yet none of the four residents were ever bit.
Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus)
While its name may start with the same word as the brown recluse, the brown widow is a different species part of the widow spiders. It is a cousin of the famed black widow and is native to Africa. Over the years, the spider has been introduced to new areas such as India, Poland, Australia, and the United States. Today, it is one of Mississippi’s four venomous spider species and can be identified by the black and white abdominal patterns on its tan to dark brown body. This spider also has an orange to yellow colored hourglass marking on its abdomen and prominent black stripes on its legs. Adult brown widow spiders can reach lengths of 1.5 inches with their legs extended…