Long-bodied Cellar Spider, Daddy Long-legs Spider, Skull Spider
Pholcus phalangioides
Pholcidae (Cellar Spiders), Order Araneae. Characterized by extremely long, thin legs and hanging upside down in messy webs.
Physical Description
Elongated, cylindrical abdomen with a translucent appearance. Small cephalothorax with a 'skull-like' marking. The body is delicate and sparsely covered in fine hairs.
Size Estimate
Body length 7-10mm; leg span up to 50mm. This appears to be an adult specimen based on the visible proportions.
Coloration & Markings
Pale tan, grey, or cream base color. A darker, blurry mark on the cephalothorax often resembles a human skull. Abdomen is generally uniform but can show faint heart-shaped markings.
Web Type
Tangle web or 'cobweb'. Irregular, non-sticky silk strands often built in corners or under objects like boxes. When disturbed, the spider vibrates the web rapidly until it becomes a blur.
Eye Arrangement
Six or eight eyes (depending on species) arranged in two lateral triads of three and a small median pair. They are located on a slightly raised eye turret.
Leg Characteristics
Extremely long, thin, and fragile legs. They lack spines but have fine sensory hairs. The legs are flexible and often appear pale or nearly transparent.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
The venom is weak to humans. While an urban legend claims they are the 'most venomous spiders in the world but for their tiny fangs,' this is false. Their venom is potent enough only for small arthropods.
Medical Significance
Negligible danger to humans. Bites are extremely rare as their fangs are small and they are not aggressive. Symptoms are typically limited to a mild, short-lived stinging sensation.
Safety Recommendations
No action is needed as they are harmless. If removal is desired, they can be gently scooped into a container and moved to a garage or shed where they can continue to hunt pests.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution. Prefer dark, damp, or undisturbed locations like basements, garages, caves, and warehouses. Found globally in association with human dwellings.
Behavior & Temperament
Passive and reclusive hunters. Known for 'whirling' behavior (vibrating in the web) to confuse predators. They are synanthropic, often living close to humans without conflict.
Diet & Prey
Opportunistic feeders that eat insects, other spiders (including much larger ones like Wolf Spiders or Hobo Spiders), and woodlice. They use their long legs to wrap prey in silk from a distance.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round in temperature-controlled indoor environments, though population peaks may occur in late summer and autumn.
Description
A delicate, long-legged spider often found in the quiet corners of homes. These spiders are master gymnasts, hanging upside down and vibrating wildly if they feel threatened. They are nature's natural pest controllers, often eliminating more 'scary' spiders and flies from houses.
Key Features
Extremely long thin legs, cylindrical abdomen, small body size, skull-like marking, and the characteristic vibrating defense behavior.
Similar Species
Other Pholcids or Harvestmen (Opiliones). Unlike Harvestmen, Cellar Spiders have two distinct body segments and produce silk.
Life Cycle
Females carry the egg sac in their chelicerae until the spiderlings hatch. They do not use a fixed cocoon. The lifespan is roughly 2-3 years, and they can produce several broods.
Ecological Importance
Highly effective at controlling indoor pest populations including flies, moths, and other biting spiders.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN. They are extremely common and adapt well to human-altered environments.
Interesting Facts
They are famous for hunting large, dangerous spiders. They use their long legs to stay out of reach of the larger spider's fangs while tossing silk to immobilize them.
Photography Tips
Use a macro lens if possible. Focus on the cephalothorax to capture the 'skull' marking. Backlighting can highlight the translucent nature of the legs and abdomen.
Identified: 2026-05-18T11:21:39.502006