As strange as it sounds, the Pholcidae, or Cellar Spider is one of the most misunderstood spiders in the world. There are three different critters commonly referred to as the Cellar Spider:
The Crane Fly (which looks like a giant mosquito), the Harvestman (which is commonly mistaken for a spider but has only one body part and no fangs), and then there is the actual Cellar Spider. However, it has become so common for each of these to be called Cellar Spiders, or Daddy Long-Legs, that it is now considered correct for all three.
Pholcidae is actually not a species but a family of spiders. There are nearly 2,000 species of Pholcidae distributed in the entire USA and also worldwide.
There is a common myth about Pholcidae. It says that it is the most venomous spider in the world, but its fangs cannot penetrate human skin. This is far from true. In fact, they can bite, but they are completely harmless.
Pholcidae Description
The Cellar Spider has a small thin body with very long thin legs. It is usually a tan or gray shade of color.
Size
The body will reach a maximum length of up to 10 mm (less than half an inch) and its legs may grow to around two inches long (51 mm).
Web
Fitting to this spider, their webbing is made of very thin strands and strung about haphazardly giving it the look of a light cobweb. The Daddy Long-Leg Spider often builds its web in the corners of the ceiling, behind bookshelves, under and behind couches, between joists in the basement, etc…
Bites
It is difficult to get bitten by a Cellar Spider, and on the very rare occasion one does bite, it is completely harmless to humans. At the worst, it may leave a small red blemish that will fade fairly quickly.
Side Fact
Pholcidae is one of the best spiders to have around, especially, if you live in a state, with more poisonous spiders. They are known to actually hunt down and kill the more dangerous spiders to humans. When the Cellar Spider is in its web and feels threatened, it has the ability to vibrate itself within the web to make it less visible.
Pholcidae Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Infraorder: Araneomorphae
- Family: Pholcidae
Common Names
Cellar spider, daddy long-legs spider, granddaddy long-legs, carpenter spider, house spider, daddy long-legger, skull spider, vibrating spider
US states where the cellar spider is found
Every US state – Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
This spider is small. Found in Terry mississippi 39170
Hello Michael,
Thanks for getting in touch! This is most likely not a spider but a harvestman (Opiliones): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opiliones
SORRY. I live in Northern Virginia and saw this guy, we have a bunch of similar spiders in my classroom, mostly they hide behind the felt board or under the chalkboard. They’re about the size of the head of a regular sharpie marker.
Can anyone tell me what kind of spider this is? Located in West-Central Ohio. Each one was in same area but two different locations. Thanks for any help someone may be able to provide!
Linda
Hello Linda, this is indeed a cellar spider. Most likely, it is Pholcus phalangioides.
Or more commonly called , ‘daddy longlegs’ and they are harmless.
Hi there. I found this spider in the corner of our covered front porch. We’re in Northern New Jersey. It has very long front legs, a dark abdomen with a darker geometric pattern and a light brown to gold thorax with a dark brown shape in the middle. It’s body is about 1/4″ in length without the legs. It doesn’t appear aggressive…just chillin’. Any idea?
Thanks!
Hello Patricia, this is a cellar spider or daddy long-legs spider. My guess is that it is of the species Pholcus phalangioides: https://usaspiders.com/pholcidae-cellar-spider/
Ohio.
Hello Stacy, thanks for getting in touch. This is a cellar spider (or daddy long-legs), scientifically Pholcus phalangoides: https://usaspiders.com/pholcidae-cellar-spider/
They are not medically significant.
Hi, I found this Spider in Nothern Illinois. I think it’s a daddy long legs but I’m not sure. Any info would be great!
My father found this in his crawlspace in New Jersey. Looks like an orb weaver of some sort? It actually came over to check him out then walked away. Don’t know if behavior helps.
Hello Jim, thanks for getting in touch! This is an unfortunate cellar spider (Pholcus sp.) infected with a fungus (Engyodontium aranearum). The fungus has taken over the spider, influences its behavior and will eventually kill the spider. It would be best to kill the spider to protect the fungus from spreading to other spiders. The fungus is not dangerous for humans or pets.
This is a photo of the spider I found
Hello David, this is a cellar spider (Pholcus sp.): https://usaspiders.com/pholcidae-cellar-spider/
Found this one indoors – Southern California
Hello Andy, this is a cellar spider (family Pholcidae): https://usaspiders.com/pholcidae-cellar-spider/
Found this daddy long legs in my house. Fairly huge though, given it’s legs spanned a bit wider than my hand. Let it out in the back yard. Curious if it’s just a common though, due to the tree like markings on its back.
Hello Dennis, yes, this is a daddy long legs (Pholcidae). This one is truly large, most likely Pholcus manueli:
https://bugguide.net/node/view/565171
https://usaspiders.com/pholcidae-cellar-spider/
Hey there! I am Tommy Phan. I am from Phoenix, Arizona. I found this spider in my bathroom and was wondering what kind of spider this is? Hopefully this picture is good enough! I released it back outside using the fly swatter. Thank you!
Hello Tommy, thanks for getting in touch! This is some type of cellar spider, aka daddy long legs (Pholcidae). Here is more information about them: https://usaspiders.com/pholcidae-cellar-spider/
Daddy long leg-esque body shape, but the butt is tear drop shaped or oval with a tip. The legs are clear/translucent. The body is black with very little orange/red coloration. Each leg has 2-3 “joints” and there are no hairs on the body. The web it spun is not normal shaped. It is frantic and chaotically crowded bubble looking. Found in Gramercy, LA and late December/ early January.
Hi Brittany, thanks for getting in touch! You are right, this is a daddy long-leg spider, or cellar spider, of the family Pholcidae. This one might be in the genus Crossopriza, which would explain the oval abdomen: https://bugguide.net/node/view/721722