POISONOUS  SPIDERS

brown recluse             black widow

There are no other poisonous spiders in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Spider bites are rarely fatal. Some cause no reaction.
Bites of any spider can become infected.


In North America the widow spiders, recluse spiders, hobo spiders, and yellow sac spiders are the only spiders of medical importance. Though a red-legged widow spider (Latrodectus bishopi) lives in Florida, Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) bites are far more common. There are about thirteen species of poisonous Loxosceles spiders in the U.S., but most severe bites are caused by the Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa). The Hobo Spider (Tegenaria agrestis) is found in the northwestern states. Bites of Yellow (or Golden) Sac Spiders, genus Cheiracanthium, are infrequently seen.

Learn more about widows, recluse, hobo, and yellow sac spiders.


Patient Medical Assistant logo

Return to the "Spider Bites" page

Return to the "Patient Medical Assistant" Home Page

This page was last updated on 7 November 2002.