Long-bodied Cellar Spider, Daddy Long-legs, Skull Spider
Pholcus phalangioides
Pholcidae (Cellar Spiders), Order Araneae. Characterized by extremely long, thin legs and hanging inverted in webs.
Physical Description
Small, cylindrical, and somewhat translucent body with a distinct separation between the cephalothorax and the elongated abdomen. The abdomen is typically two to three times longer than the cephalothorax.
Size Estimate
Body length 7-10 mm; leg span up to 50 mm. The specimen appears to be an adult.
Coloration & Markings
Pale tan, beige, or grayish-yellow. A darker, blurry mark on the cephalothorax often resembles a 'skull' or 'violin' shape. The abdomen is largely uniform with faint spotting.
Web Type
Irregular, messy tangle or 'cobweb' that is non-sticky. Found in corners, under eaves, or beneath large leaves.
Eye Arrangement
Eight eyes total: two small eyes in the center and two triads (groups of three) on either side, though they often appear as two main clumps from a distance.
Leg Characteristics
Extremely long, thin, and fragile-looking (filamentous). They lack spines but have flexible ends called 'pseudosegmented' tarsi.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains proteinaceous venom effective against insects. Contrary to urban myths, it is not the 'most poisonous spider in the world'.
Medical Significance
Harmless. Their fangs are very short and rarely penetrate human skin; if they do, the effect is a mild, short-lived stinging sensation.
Safety Recommendations
No action is needed as they are harmless. If relocation is desired, use a cup and paper to move the spider to a basement or garden shed.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Globally distributed; cosmopolitan. Found in caves, cellars, garages, and sheltered outdoor spots like the underside of large leaves in gardens.
Behavior & Temperament
Sedentary web-dweller. When threatened, it performs a 'whirling' or vibrating behavior to become a blur to predators. Very docile and reluctant to bite humans.
Diet & Prey
Insects and other spiders. Known for 'araneophagy' (eating other spiders), including much larger ones like House Spiders or even Black Widows.
Seasonal Activity
Year-round indoors; most active in late summer and autumn outdoors in temperate climates.
Description
A ubiquitous and beneficial house and garden dweller known for its spindly legs and vibrating defensive dance. This spider is a master of corners and crevices.
Key Features
Elongated, translucent body; legs many times longer than body length; messy tangle web; whirling behavior when disturbed.
Similar Species
Harvestmen (Opiliones) which lack a two-part body and silk; Brown Recluses, which have much shorter, thicker legs and a different eye count (6).
Life Cycle
Females carry their small, silk-wrapped egg sacs (approx. 20-30 eggs) in their chelicerae until they hatch. Can live up to 3 years.
Ecological Importance
Excellent natural pest control. They actively hunt and kill disease-carrying insects and other unwanted household spiders.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by IUCN; stable and common globally due to its association with human structures.
Interesting Facts
There is a persistent but false urban legend that they are the deadliest spiders but have fangs too short to bite humans; they are actually quite weak in venom potency to mammals.
Photography Tips
Focus on the cephalothorax markings. Use a dark background to make the translucent legs visible. Macro mode is essential for eye detail.
Identified: 2026-07-15T21:55:59.529218