Arachnids of North Carolina
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Pholcus phalangioides - Longbodied cellar spider

Pholcus phalangioidesPholcus phalangioidesPholcus phalangioidesPholcus phalangioides
Prosoma with single dark central mark
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Pholcidae                                                                                 
Comments: First described as Aranea phalangoides Fuesslin, 1775 (gender masculine), 30 years later, in 1805, Walkenaer erected the genus Pholcus, with phalangioides as its type.
Species Comment: "Pholcus" is most likely to have been used as meaning "squinty-eyed," considering the layout of the family Pholcidae's 6 eyes. The specific epithet refers to this spider's passing resemblance to members of the order Opiliones,the harvestmen, which includes the suborder Phalangioidea an--in a different suborder--the family Phalangiidae. This superficial similarity has resulted in some harvestmen being colloquially called "(grand) daddy longlegs" and the longbodied cellar spider sometimes being referred to by the same name or as the "(grand) daddy longlegs spider."
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: Extremely long legs (6-8 times longer than the body), pale in color, usually upside down in a web.
Total Length: Females 7-8mm; males ca. 6mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Common in buildings worldwide.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Pholcus phalangioides
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Dark, often dank locations: dark corners, under shelves, in cellars, caves, mines and garages
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Synanthropic and common
Silk / Web: Irregular, typically found in dark corners, under shelves, cellars, caves, and mines
Behavior: When disturbed in their webs, these spiders will gyrate wildly, becoming very hard to see.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Pholcus phalangioides - Longbodied cellar spider

59 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-05-30
Currituck Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-04
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-04
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Khaos on 2025-01-30
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Khaos on 2025-01-30
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Chrystal Ingersoll on 2024-11-16
Iredell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-21
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-09-21
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-27
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-27
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-25
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-25
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-25
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-06
Mitchell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-06
Mitchell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-31
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-19
Nash Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-19
Nash Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-11-02
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-03
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-29
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-29
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-29
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-29
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-29
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-07-29
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-07-14
Hyde Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-06-17
Avery Co.
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Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick on 2023-01-05
Alamance Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Ann McCormick on 2023-01-05
Alamance Co.
Comment: