This is the famous (or infamous, perhaps) spider found commonly in the Pacific Northwest that is causing widespread panic due to the belief that its venom is similar in toxicity to the brown recluse. Indeed, it appears some bite victims experience a necrotic reaction, but there is 'great' debate as to whether this is due to the spider's venom, an associated microorganism (i.e. bacteria), or something else. Experiments have yielded irreproducible results. The leading authority on this was Dr. Darwin Vest, who mysteriously disappeared several years ago. The plot thickens...The hobo spider is not native to North America, but an import from Europe. It is apparently not a public health concern in its native lands.