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 6–10 mm long; legs commonly span 40–50 mm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Common indoors in ceilings, corners, basements, garages, and other quiet, low-disturbance areas; widespread worldwide.

Diet & Feeding

Predatory, feeding on flies, mosquitoes, moths, and other small arthropods caught in irregular cobwebs.

Behavior Patterns

Builds loose, messy webs and vibrates rapidly when disturbed, making the spider difficult to target. Females carry egg sacs in their chelicerae, and several generations may occur annually indoors.

Risks & Benefits

Not considered medically significant to humans and is generally harmless. It benefits households by consuming nuisance insects and other spiders.