Community identification
Long-bodied cellar spider (daddy longlegs spider)
Pholcus phalangioides
- Order & Family
- Araneae; Pholcidae
- Size
- Body about 6–10 mm; legs can span several centimeters.
Natural Habitat
Indoors in quiet, sheltered corners, especially basements, cellars, garages, and ceilings.
Diet & Feeding
Catches small insects and other spiders in a loose web; may also prey on larger spiders.
Behavior Patterns
Builds irregular webs and vibrates rapidly when disturbed. Egg-carrying females hold their eggs in their jaws; young spiders molt several times before adulthood.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to people and not medically significant. Beneficial indoors because it consumes flies, mosquitoes, and other household pests.