Verified envenomations by crevice weaver spiders (genus ): Bites are of minor expression but the spiders are commonly misidentified as medically important brown recluses (genus Loxosceles) in North America.

From southern North America, five verified bites by crevice weaver spiders, spp. (Filistatidae), are presented here, three of which are pediatric cases. Although the envenomation manifestations were of minimal expression, the salient aspect of this report is that spiders are frequently misidentified as brown recluse spiders (genus ) which are infamous for causing serious dermonecrosis and rarely, life-threatening systemic effects. Misidentification of this relatively harmless spider as a medically important recluse when presented to a physician in an envenomation episode could lead to unwarranted and overzealous treatment such as contraindicated debridement of the affected area.