Diptera.info

Posted by Smoggycb on 18-03-2008 10:40

This beastie was found dead in the bath in the mountainous areas of Andalucia in early July 2006. Is it Loxosceles rufescens?

Edited by Smoggycb on 20-03-2008 09:51

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 18-03-2008 11:16

Sicariidae - Loxosceles cf. reclusa More probably this one. But take very care... because it may be reached to the Spain the dangerous Loxosceles laeta that has necrotizing venom. Not pleasant... I know that this L. laeta from South America reached to the Canarias islands..

Posted by Smoggycb on 18-03-2008 21:06

Thanks for that Jorge. Out of interest, how many species of Loxosceles occur in Spain and Portugal?

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 18-03-2008 21:35

IN Portugal there is ONLY one species known. :)
http://www.aranha...&Itemid=43

click on Sicariidae. There are photos taken by myself to L. rufescens

In Spain there are L. rufescens and maybe L. laeta.
I was VERY SURPRISED that L. laeta is cited to ... FINLAND! :|

Posted by Smoggycb on 19-03-2008 16:33

Thanks Jorge. I found a wikipedia entry on L. laeta (http://en.wikiped...an_recluse) which is quite interesting and mentions it being established in Finland, as well as several other places. I already have the aranhas site on my bookmarks - it looks great but my Portuguese is non-existent.
As a footnote, when I found this spider I was on my honeymoon, and my wife has picked up enough about spiders to know what a Recluse is, so I had to keep it VERY quiet until we got home!

Edited by Smoggycb on 20-03-2008 09:50

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 19-03-2008 20:39

aranhas.info will go have a boost very soon.

You should take your wife to Portugal where the spiders are not dangerous. :D