Long-bodied Cellar Spider, Daddy Long-legs Spider, Skull Spider
Pholcus phalangioides
Pholcidae (Cellar Spiders), Order Araneae. Characterized by extremely long, thin legs and small, elegant bodies.
Physical Description
Small, delicate body divided into two parts: a circular/oval cephalothorax and a long, cylindrical abdomen. The body appears somewhat translucent and fragile.
Size Estimate
Body length is typically 7-9mm (0.3 inches) for females; leg span can reach up to 50-70mm (2-3 inches). This appears to be an adult specimen.
Coloration & Markings
Pale tan, grey, or yellowish-brown. The cephalothorax often features a darker, blurred mark that resembles a skull or a 'violin' (sometimes leading to confusion with Recluses).
Web Type
Messy, irregular tangle web (cobweb). The silk is non-sticky; it relies on the complexity of the silk strands to trip up prey. Usually found in corners of ceilings or basements.
Eye Arrangement
Eight eyes total. Typically arranged in two clusters of three on the sides and two small eyes in the middle (though the middle pair can be difficult to see without magnification).
Leg Characteristics
Extremely long, thin, and spindly. They lack prominent spines but have a flexible appearance. In life, they are held in a wide, sprawling posture.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains a mild neurotoxic venom effective on small insects. Contrary to urban legends, it is not the 'most poisonous spider in the world'.
Medical Significance
Harmless to humans. Their fangs are very short and rarely capable of penetrating human skin. If a bite occurs, it usually results in a mild, short-lived stinging sensation.
Safety Recommendations
No action is usually needed. If relocation is desired, use a cup and a piece of paper to gently move the spider outside. They are entirely safe to have in the home.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Found globally (cosmopolitan). They are synanthropic, meaning they prefer living in human structures like houses, garages, basements, and sheds where conditions are stable.
Behavior & Temperament
Very calm and non-aggressive. When threatened in their web, they perform a 'whirling' or 'vibrating' behavior, spinning so fast they become a blur to confuse predators.
Diet & Prey
They eat insects and, impressively, other spiders. They are known to hunt much larger spiders, including house spiders and even Redbacks/Widows, by throwing silk over them from a distance.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round in temperature-controlled indoor environments, though movement may increase during mating seasons in spring and summer.
Description
The Long-bodied Cellar Spider is a ubiquitous and beneficial roommate. Known for its impossibly thin legs and cylindrical body, it is a master of low-energy survival in quiet corners. Unlike many spiders that flee, this one vibrates its entire body when disturbed.
Key Features
Extremely long legs, cylindrical abdomen, vibrating defense mechanism, and the habit of hanging upside down in messy webs located in high or low corners.
Similar Species
Often confused with Harvestmen (Opiliones), which have a single body segment and no silk, or the Brown Recluse (Loxosceles), which has a shorter, sturdier build and different eye pattern.
Life Cycle
Females carry their egg sacs (wrapped in a few silk threads) in their jaws until they hatch. Spiderlings stay with the mother for a short time before dispersing. Can live up to 3 years.
Ecological Importance
Critical for natural pest control inside homes. They efficiently reduce populations of flies, mosquitoes, and more 'disturbing' spiders like wolf spiders or recluses.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN, but populations are stable and abundant due to their successful adaptation to human-altered environments.
Interesting Facts
The urban legend that they are the most venomous spider but have fangs too small to bite humans is false. While they can bite, their venom is not medically significant to people.
Photography Tips
Focus on the 'skull' marking on the cephalothorax and the shape of the abdomen. Using a dark background can help highlight the thin legs and translucent body.
Identified: 2026-06-15T09:53:09.078964