Two Chilean recluse spiders with a fearsome reputation have reached Portugal

It is an important scientific discovery, but it does not mean Portugal or Spain is suddenly full of Chilean recluse spiders hiding in homes. Two spiders do not equal an invasionTwo male Chilean recluse spiders were discovered in Porto months apart. The Chilean recluse (Loxosceles laeta) belongs to the same group as other medically important recluse spiders, including the brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) found in parts of the United States. The Chilean recluse, Mediterranean recluse and brown recluse are closely related, and distinguishing them often requires specialist examination of anatomical features under a microscope. For now, the message from experts is simple: Portugal has discovered two Chilean recluse spiders.