Bug Identifier
Cellar Spider (often called Daddy Long-Legs)
Community identification

Cellar Spider (often called Daddy Long-Legs)

Pholcus phalangioides

Order & Family
Order: Araneae; Family: Pholcidae
Size
Body size of 2 to 10 mm, with legs reaching up to 50 mm in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in dark, damp environments such as cellars, basements, caves, and corners of rooms or garages.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; feeds on small insects, other spiders (including much larger ones), and woodlice.

Behavior Patterns

Known for spinning messy, irregular webs; when disturbed, they vibrate rapidly in the web to blur their appearance to predators.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans with fangs too small to penetrate skin effectively; highly beneficial as they provide natural pest control for homes.