
Community identification
Cellar spider (likely long-bodied cellar spider)
Pholcus phalangioides
- Order & Family
- Araneae, Pholcidae
- Size
- Body about 6–9 mm long; leg span commonly 40–50 mm.
Natural Habitat
Common indoors in ceilings, corners, basements, garages, and other quiet, dim areas; also occurs in sheltered outdoor spaces worldwide.
Diet & Feeding
Predatory, feeding on flies, mosquitoes, moths, ants, and other small arthropods. It may also capture other spiders, including larger species, in its irregular web.
Behavior Patterns
Builds loose, three-dimensional cobwebs and vibrates rapidly when disturbed, making it difficult for predators to target. Females carry an egg bundle in their chelicerae; several generations may occur annually indoors.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to people and not medically significant; bites are extremely rare. Beneficial indoors because it consumes nuisance insects and other spiders.