
Cellar Spider (or Daddy Long-legs Spider)
Pholcus phalangioides
- Order & Family
- Araneae (Spiders), Pholcidae (Cellar Spiders)
- Size
- Body length typically 2-10 mm; leg span can be up to 50 mm or more, giving them their 'daddy long-legs' appearance.
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in dark, damp, and undisturbed areas of homes, such as cellars, basements, crawl spaces, garages, and attics. They can also be found outdoors in sheltered locations.
Diet & Feeding
Mainly feeds on other small insects and spiders, including venomous spiders like black widows, which they subdue by wrapping them in silk.
Behavior Patterns
Active hunters that build small, irregular webs, typically in undisturbed corners of rooms, basements, or attics. They are not aggressive and usually flee when disturbed. They are known for their long legs and relatively small bodies.
Risks & Benefits
Generally considered harmless to humans. Their fangs are too small to easily penetrate human skin, and their venom (though debated in folklore) is not medically significant to humans. They are beneficial as they prey on other household pests, including more dangerous spiders like black widows.