Community identification
Cellar spider (likely a young long-bodied cellar spider)
Pholcus phalangioides
- Order & Family
- Araneae, Pholcidae
- Size
- Adult body length is about 6–9 mm, with legs commonly reaching 40–50 mm across.
Natural Habitat
Dark, quiet indoor areas such as basements, garages, corners, and ceilings; also occurs in sheltered outdoor sites.
Diet & Feeding
A predator of flies, mosquitoes, moths, and other small arthropods, captured in loose, irregular webs.
Behavior Patterns
Builds tangled webs and vibrates rapidly when disturbed, making the spider appear blurred. Females carry a small cluster of eggs in their chelicerae and may produce several broods.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to people; its bite is not medically significant. It benefits households by consuming nuisance insects and other spiders.