Dysderidae and Pholcidae

Dysderidae and Pholcidae

Dysdera crocata

Dysderidae (cell spiders, woodlouse hunters) and Pholcidae (cellar spiders) belong to the Haplogynae group.

Dysdera crocata (Dysderidae) is a unique spider with long chelicerae, specially adapted to hunting isopods (sowbugs, pillbugs, or woodlice). They can be found under logs, rocks, etc. The female specimen below had babies but I was unable to keep them alive, and unable to release them as it was winter.


Adult female D. crocata. She is missing a leg.

Pholcus phalangioides (Pholcidae) is the long-bodied cellar spider. These docile and harmless spiders occur both inside and outside of buildings, but are especially common in basements and corners. I find them on the ceiling corners in my house, and less often, near the floor, close to Steatoda triangulosa. P. phalangioides hang upside-down in their cobweb-like webs and vibrate when disturbed. They are welcomed residents that feed on insects and use their long legs to wrap prey with speed and precision. These helpful housemates can be a bit untidy at times, but their webs can be gently swept or dusted to remove insect debris. The spiders will build new webs shortly. To avoid vacuuming these beneficial spiders, sweep rather than vacuum the webs. Females are 7 to 8 mm, males are 5 to 6 mm, and legspans are 35 to 50 mm.


At my old house	Big female	Almost blends in	Large male (see pedipalps)	FAT! male


Bottom views		Some typical habitats for both P. phalangioides and S. triangulosa


A large female from a basement, compared to an adult male human's finger

BACK