The abdomen of the cellar spider is three times greater in length than width and cylindrical in shape. Including the length of the legs increases the total length of the body by more than six times. They regularly cannibalize each other, not to be confused with the shed exoskeletons left as the spiders grow.ĭefenses: If disturbed, the spider will shake its web back and forth quick enough to make the spider very hard to see to distract and confuse potential threats. Longer than most other spider species, the cellar spider ranges from 7 to 8 mm in length, not counting the legs. This is ridiculous and completely false, they have mild venom that takes quite a bit to even immobilize their small insect prey. One myth that surrounds these spiders is the fact that they have the most toxic venom of any spider but cannot bite because they are too small.
Known occurrences, collected specimens and observations of Long-bodied Cellar Spider. They have parental care ( female provides care ). Prey is heavily wrapped in a veil of very fine silk, turning it whitish in color (see inset picture). Pholcus phalangioides (Fuesslin 1775) Pholcus phalangioides (Long Bodied Cellar Spider) is a species of spiders in the family daddy long-legs spiders. I have even seen a deer tick captured by one of these spiders. Long-bodied Cellar Spider - Pholcus phalangioides Lakeland, Washington County, Minnesota, USA MaFound in upstairs bathroom. The long-bodied cellar spider is sometimes called the 'skull spider' because the part of its body containing its head looks like a human skull. These spiders capture large amounts of household pests such as mosquitoes, flies, larder chafers, drugstore beetles, meal moths, ants, Asian ladybugs and other spiders (ones that wander on the floors). They are extremely beneficial to have in your home. Meanwhile, females in the latter group measure only 1/16 inch, though their legs. The female counterpart of the former can reach a length of 1/4 to 5/16 inches, with its legs extending another two inches in total. Two of the most recognizable species are the long-bodied and short-bodied cellar spider. Outdoors around houses and in crevices or caves.ĭiet: Insects such as flies, beetles, moths, centipedes, ants, mosquitoes and other spiders. Short-bodied cellar spider: Identification.
Habitat: Houses, barns, sheds, basements, under porches, outbuildings, under tables, in cabinets and corners, and under furniture. Spiderlings stay in the web with the mother until their first shedding. It is built in dark corners and crevices.Įggs: 17-42, held in a very fine sac of silk, held by the female in her web. Web: Irregular tangle of web strands, not very strong. Mistakenly called a daddy-long legs, a distant relative of all spiders.
Somewhat translucent looking, females larger than males and can have distended abdomens from eggs within. Description: Very long legged spider with small narrow body.