Meet the Long-Bodied Cellar Spider: Nature’s Tiny Acrobat
Ever seen a spider that looks like it’s walking on stilts? Meet the long-bodied cellar spider (Pholcus phalangioides), a fascinating arachnid that’s often misunderstood. These unique spiders, part of the family Pholcidae, are known for their incredibly long legs and delicate bodies. People sometimes call them Daddy Long-Legs, but don’t confuse them with harvestmen or short-bodied cellar spiders—they’re all different kinds of spiders!
Did you know that the long-bodied cellar spider creates intricate, messy webs in damp places like basements, garages, and crawl spaces? These spiders tend to hang out in dark corners, spinning webs that catch other insects and spiders, even venomous spiders like the black widow!
Curious about how this type of spider species spins webs and catches prey? Keep reading to find out more about this eight-legged wonder!
Let’s get to know what makes the long-bodied cellar spider stand out. These arachnids have incredibly thin legs that can be up to 50 millimeters long, attached to a tiny, light brown body that’s only 7 to 8 millimeters in size. These spiders are also known for their signature move—when threatened, they vibrate rapidly in their web, creating a blurry, ghost-like effect. It’s like a spider dance!
Want to find one? Look in places like basements, warehouses, or dark and damp places around your home. These spiders prefer undisturbed spots, so check those quiet corners.
Here’s a challenge: “Can you spot a long-bodied cellar spider in your house?” They’re often found in damp places where spiders and insects thrive.
Fun fact: Although these spiders possess venom, their fangs are too small to pierce human skin. So, while they’re venomous, they’re not considered dangerous to humans. Instead, these spiders are also helpful because cellar spiders eat pesky bugs like flies and other insects that are typically attracted to your home!
Keeping long-bodied cellar spiders (Pholcus phalangioides) out of your home is simple and helps maintain a clean, pest-free environment. Start by sealing cracks and gaps in walls, windows, and doors to block their entry. These arachnids love damp places like basements, crawl spaces, and garages, so make sure to keep these areas clean and dry.
Even though these spiders are also venomous spiders, they’re harmless to humans because their fangs aren’t strong enough to pierce skin. Plus, they’re nature’s pest control, as cellar spiders eat flies, mosquitoes, and even other spiders like the dangerous black widow.
Ask yourself: “Would you rather have one helpful cellar spider or a dozen pesky bugs invading your space?”
Keeping these arachnids around can actually help reduce the number of cellar pests you’d otherwise deal with!
Did you know that the long-bodied cellar spider’s web is a messy masterpiece? While it might look unorganized, it’s strong and effective at catching prey. These spiders create their thin layer of silk in dark corners where insects and spiders are typically found. Fun fact: When two spider webs overlap, the long-bodied cellar spider often eats the intruder! These spiders are known for feasting on many other spiders, including some larger than themselves.
What do you think happens when two spider species meet in one web? It’s a real-life bug battle!
These arachnids play a big role in balancing ecosystems by controlling the population of insects that are typically attracted to damp places in your home. Without them, the number of bugs could quickly multiply. Although these spiders tend to stay hidden, they’re hard at work keeping the ecosystem in check.
Here’s a fun activity: Draw your version of a “super spider” based on what you’ve learned! Would it have incredibly long legs, eight eyes arranged in a unique pattern, or an extra-strong egg sac to protect its cluster of eggs until they hatch?
Finally, imagine having your very own pet long-bodied cellar spider. What would you name it? Would it be “Spindly,” “Silky,” or maybe something super creative?
The next time you see a spider in your home, take a closer look. It might just be a long bodied cellar spider doing its job to keep your house pest-free!