Cellar Spider (often called Daddy Long-Legs)
Scientific Name: 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.
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.
Identified on: 2/24/2026