Distribution and medical aspects of Loxosceles rufescens , one of the most invasive spiders of the world (Araneae: Sicariidae)

Ultrasonography for early detection of non‐infectious necrotizing fasciitis secondary to cutaneous loxoscelism

“…Loxosceles rufescens spiders are characterized by having a brown or light-brown colour, with a body length of 7-8 mm and long legs. 9 The description given by the patient to the best of her ability was compatible with this species. The details for their entomological or confirmatory identification include a particular pigmented pattern dorsally on their cephalothorax and the presence of six eyes arranged in pairs or dyads.…”

“…9 The L. rufescens spider is endemic on the European Mediterranean basin, where it can be found in both rural and urban areas and where it is known to produce CL. 3,5,9 Clinical presentation of CL typically occurs several hours after the bite as a necrotic plaque with black, blueish-grey, pale and violaceous hues, that progresses despite treatment. 3,5 It may also present an excentric puncture sign.…”

Media representation of spiders may exacerbate arachnophobic sentiments by framing a distorted perception of risk

“…This event was discussed in the medical literature (Pezzi et al, 2016), and later began to be mentioned by some journalists (n=7 media reports). However, the validity of this medical report was readily questioned by Nentwig et al (2017), because the identity of the spider biting the woman was not ascertained. Allegedly:…”

“…Loxosceles rufescens is native to the Mediterranean basin (Planas, Saupe, Lima-Ribeiro, Peterson, & Ribera, 2014), but has been introduced to many areas of the world where it is considered an important invasive species (Nentwig, Pantini, & Vetter, 2017; Taucare-Rios, Nentwig, Bizama, & Bustamante, 2018). The Mediterranean recluse is a rather common inhabitant of natural and in-door habitats in Italy and thus, it seems likely that it has been coexisting with humans for centuries.…”

“…We found that the risk scenario depicted by the media reports was unnecessarily alarmist, especially with regard to L. rufescens. First, no proven fatality due to a bite by L. rufescens has occurred globally (Nentwig et al, 2017). Second, overdiagnosis of spider bites is a rather common phenomenon for "popular" taxa such as Loxosceles and Latrodectus (Stuber & Nentwig, 2016).…”