
Community identification
Long-bodied cellar spider (likely)
Pholcus phalangioides
- Order & Family
- Araneae, Pholcidae (cellar spiders)
- Size
- Body about 6–10 mm long; legs may span 35–50 mm.
Natural Habitat
Quiet, dim indoor areas such as ceilings, corners, basements, garages, and sheds; also occurs in sheltered outdoor sites.
Diet & Feeding
Predatory, feeding on flies, mosquitoes, moths, small spiders, and other trapped arthropods. It immobilizes prey with silk and venom.
Behavior Patterns
Builds loose, irregular cobwebs and often vibrates rapidly when disturbed, becoming difficult to see. Females carry an egg bundle in their jaws; young disperse after hatching.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to people and pets, with venom too weak to pose a meaningful threat. Beneficial as a household predator of nuisance insects; the image is not detailed enough for certain species-level identification.