
Community identification
Cellar Spider
Pholcus phalangioides
- Order & Family
- Order: Araneae; Family: Pholcidae
- Size
- Body length 7-10 mm; legs can be up to 50 mm long.
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in dark, damp environments such as cellars, basements, caves, and corners of ceilings in homes.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; feeds on small insects, flies, moths, and even other spiders longer than itself.
Behavior Patterns
Known for spinning messy, irregular webs and vibrating rapidly when threatened to blur their image (shaking behavior).
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans as their fangs are rarely able to pierce skin; highly beneficial for natural pest control in homes.