Source: Public Health Image Library (PHIL). Available online: http://phil.cdc.gov

Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa), also called violin spiders or fiddleback spiders, are found most often in the south-central part of the United States and live in hot, dry, abandoned areas, such as wood or rock piles. They are about 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) long with a dark violin-shaped mark on the combined head and midsection (cephalothorax). They have 6 eyes grouped in 3 pairs rather than 8 eyes like other spiders.