
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.
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.