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Longbodied Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
Photo#244728
Copyright © 2008
John Pearson
Cellar Spider -
Pholcus phalangioides
-
Ackworth, Warren County, Iowa, USA
December 14, 2008
Size: 2" (including legs)
Associated with cobweb in upper corner of indoor room of my house.
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Contributed by
John Pearson
on 14 December, 2008 - 2:07pm
Last updated 1 November, 2009 - 11:42pm
Moved
Moved from
Cellar Spiders
.
…
John Pearson
, 1 November, 2009 - 11:42pm
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Pholcus phalangioides
Definitely a female
Pholcus phalangioides
. They are a super common cellar spider and are widespread throughout the whole world. They are the subject of one of those silly spider myths...some people think that these spiders are actually the most venomous spider in the world but that their fangs aren't able to penetrate human skin. I have no idea where that originated, but it's completely false. These spiders are completely harmless. Their only defensive maneuver is to sway back and forth and shake their web. These spiders are a great asset to any home, as they are capable of catching and eating all kinds of bugs, large and small. Being from the northwest, I have to deal with the Hobo spider (whose danger is being debated), and these longbodied cellar spiders will actually prey on them, despite how much larger they are. One thing I've always found funny, is that these spiders will reproduce all year round, whenever they can. It's like they have no concept of time or season. The female will carry her egg sac in her palps until the spiderlings emerge. It's a neat process. A few of us have photographed it and included it in the guide.
Now that's a long ID. :)
…
Mandy Howe
, 1 November, 2009 - 11:36pm
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Cellar spider
in the Pholcidae - see guide
…
john and jane balaban
, 14 December, 2008 - 2:53pm
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