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Longbodied Cellar Spider - Pholcus phalangioides |
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This large but wispy spider is also commonly called the cellar spider, after its habit of living in dark, out-of-the-way places. Often confused with harvestmen in the order Opiliones, (species epithet phalangioides = "like or resembling (genus) Phalangium") they also share another whimsical common name: daddy longlegs. The cellar spider can be found worldwide in many situations, including outdoors. Their wisp-like coloration, translucent and nearly transparent in some aspects, this spider is adept at hiding in plain sight. |
Leg span this specimen = about 25mm. Body length =8mm.
There is a famous old wives' tale (now internet meme) about this family
of spiders (and the harvestmen as well): that their bite is the most dangerous, or their
venom is the most lethal known to man. However, neither these
spiders nor the harvestmen have the equipment for delivery of any but the
tiniest amounts of venom, and that dangerous only to the small
creatures, i.e. flies, other spiders, etc.
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