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The Georgia Brown Recluse Spider ID Project
Entomologists at the University of Georgia and the University of California-Riverside are conducting a joint project to determine brown recluse spider distribution in Georgia. The brown recluse is common in Alabama and Tennessee, but is not found in Florida (except the westernmost panhandle south of Alabama), nor is it common in South Carolina (with spiders naturally occurring in the westernmost counties if at all). Therefore, the brown recluse probably occurs in north Georgia and not in the southern part of the State. Although current scientific information lists the brown recluse as being found in 10 of Georgia's 159 counties, it likely exists in additional counties. This study aims to determine where the brown recluse lives in Georgia. We are soliciting spiders from all over the State.
If you would like to help with this study, please send your spiders. If you are a teacher and would like to get your students involved, see the note at the bottom of this website. Please send any spiders that you think are brown recluses to:
Dr. N. C. Hinkle NHinkle@uga.edu
Georgia Recluse ID Project
Department of Entomology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-2603
- county
- town or city
- date of collection
If you collect many spiders in the same town on the same day, they can all go into one container with a single label. If you collect in different towns or on different days, each will need a separate container and label. Write the data in pencil as ink has a tendency to run.
How to Send the Spiders
Spiders in sticky traps - If you use sticky traps in your home or business, send them to Dr. Hinkle in Athens. Just place each sticky trap in a clear plastic bag and write the collection data on the bag or a piece of paper placed inside the bag.
Preserved spiders - can be shipped in mouthwash, which preserves them as well as alcohol without the hazards inherent in shipping alcohol. Put the spider in a small leakproof plastic container (hotel shampoo bottles work well) filled with mouthwash. Put the bottle inside a ziplock bag and seal it. Include a slip of paper with the county, city, and date of collection. Box this and ship to the address below.
Bite Diagnoses: One of the reasons for doing this study is to help the medical community rule out brown recluse bites from portions of the state that do not have the spiders. If your doctor has diagnosed you with a brown recluse bite, send us the spiders from your house.
Teachers: If you are a teacher and would like to get your class involved in this statewide science project, we would welcome your help. Please contact us. If students want to participate as part of their science fair project, we will be pleased to assist them.
Dr. N. C. Hinkle
Georgia Recluse ID Project
Department of Entomology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-2603
NHinkle@uga.edu