Bug Identifier
Cellar spider (likely long-bodied cellar spider)
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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.