1. If the spider was caught or clearly seen, then identification may be made through visual comparison.

2. If spiderbite is confirmed but no visual identification is possible, identification of the possible causative species may be made symptomatically.

3. If spiderbite is confirmed but no visual identification is possible, species distribution may aid in confirming putative identification.

4. If no animal was seen, but spiderbite suspected, the presence of two puncture wounds close together should suggest either spiderbite or snakebite (some small snakes' fangs are closer together than those of large spiders). In the absence of evident fang marks, differential diagnoses may be considered:

• Insect or other arthropod sting or bite (ant, bee, wasp, fly, beetle, bug, caterpillar, centipede)
• Puncture wound from an inanimate object (e.g., thorn, needle), with or without the introduction of antigens or toxins