Loxosceles rufescens

Loxosceles rufescens, the Mediterranean recluse spider, originated in the Mediterranean region as its name implies, but is now found worldwide. Like other species of the genus Loxosceles, bites from the Mediterranean recluse spider can have dangerous effects, causing skin lesions – a condition known as loxoscelism. Despite co-occurrence with humans for millennia, there is only a single report of a human fatality linked to a bite from this species, a case report from 2016 in which no spider was captured for a confirmed identification, and in which the victim suffered from an autoimmune disorder (myasthenia gravis). This species is considered a cosmopolitan 'tramp' species, with widely-scattered occurrences worldwide, including numerous sightings in the United States, where it is commonly confused with the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa); the two species are superficially almost indistinguishable, and misidentifications are common. Media related to Loxosceles rufescens at Wikimedia Commons