The long-bodied cellar spiders are quite interesting! Often seen in America’s dark and damp spots, they have really long legs. This is why some folks call them daddy-long-legs. But guess what? Other cellar spiders share this nickname too.
Size: Females are approximately 0.35 inches (9 mm) with 2.7 inches (7cm) leg span, while males are comparatively smaller, around 0.23 inches (6 mm).
Color: They have a yellowish-brown body with a big, gray patch at the middle of their cephalothorax. Their body and legs are translucent with grey hairs all over.
Other Characteristic Features: They have a cylindrical abdomen, and a round, peanut-shaped cephalothorax.
Eggs
Females produce three egg sacs in their lifetime with each containing 13-60 eggs. They carry the sacs in their pedipalps located at the front, near the mouth.
Spiderlings
Spiderlings have transparent bodies and short legs. As they grow, their skin changes 4-5 times.
The Web
Long-bodied cellars create loose webs, arranged horizontally in an irregular manner. They don’t eat or ruin their webs but rather keep on adding new layers to the previous ones.
Are Long Bodied Cellar Spiders Venomous?
Yes, Long Bodied Cellar spiders have venom. However, it’s weak and not harmful to humans. They use it mainly to catch tiny bugs for food.
Can Long Bodied Cellar Spiders Bite?
They can bite, but it’s rare. If they do, it might feel a tiny pinch, but it’s not something that causes big problems.
Ecological Importance and Behavior of Long Bodied Cellar Spider
The long-bodied cellar spider plays a significant role in controlling insect populations, contributing to the ecological balance within their habitats. Their webs help in trapping a variety of pests, aiding in pest control.
Natural Predators: Despite their beneficial role, these spiders are not without predators. Larger spider species pose a significant threat, showcasing the delicate balance within their ecosystem.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: Long-bodied cellar spiders are a vital part of the food web, acting as both predators to smaller insects and prey to larger spiders. This dynamic ensures a balanced ecosystem, preventing any single species from becoming overly dominant.
Relationship with Humans: While they may appear intimidating due to their long legs, long-bodied cellar spiders are harmless to humans and can actually be quite beneficial, especially in reducing insect populations in and around homes.
Quick Facts
Other Names
Daddy long-legs spider, Skull spider
Distribution
Asia, Europe, Africa, South America
Habitat
Caves, cellars, garages, and warehouses, and basements
Web Type
Large, irregular
Diet
Woodlice, mosquitoes, and other spiders like the redback
Lifespan
Around 2 years
Predators
Other bigger spiders
IUCN Conservation Status
Not listed
Did You Know
The species was described in 1775 by Johann Kaspar Füssli, the famous Swiss entomologist.
Since their cephalothorax resembles a human skull, they are alternately known as the skull spider.
In summary, the long-bodied cellar spider is a captivating species, showcasing a unique physical appearance and playing an essential role in maintaining ecological balance.
A long-bodied cellar spider has a small, yellowish-brown, peanut-shaped body and extremely long, thin legs. Its body and legs appear translucent and are covered in fine grey hairs. A key identifying feature is a distinct gray patch located in the middle of its cephalothorax or head region.
Yes, long-bodied cellar spiders possess venom, but it is not considered harmful to humans. Their venom is weak and primarily used to paralyze small insect prey. Their fangs are also typically incapable of effectively piercing human skin, making a medically significant bite virtually impossible for this species.
Long-bodied cellar spiders are small, with females reaching a body length of about 0.35 inches (9 mm) and males being slightly smaller. However, their defining feature is their leg span, which can extend up to 2.7 inches (7 cm), giving them a much larger and more delicate appearance.
A long-bodied cellar spider builds a loose, irregular, and tangled web in dark, undisturbed corners. Unlike many other spiders, they do not remove old webs. Instead, they continuously add new silk layers to the existing structure, resulting in a messy, three-dimensional web that accumulates over time.
Yes, a long-bodied cellar spider can technically bite a person, but it is an extremely rare event. Their fangs are very small and may not be able to penetrate skin. If a bite were to occur, it would likely feel like a tiny pinch with no lasting or significant effects.
Female long-bodied cellar spiders carry their eggs in a silken sac held securely in their pedipalps, which are small appendages located near their mouth. Each of the three sacs she produces in her lifetime can contain between 13 and 60 eggs, which she protects until they hatch.
Yes, long-bodied cellar spiders are considered beneficial in a house as they are effective predators of other insects and even other spiders. Their webs efficiently trap common household pests like mosquitoes, flies, and ants, contributing to natural pest control within the home without posing any threat to humans.
Dr Richard J. Pearce (PhD) on April 9, 2019.
Spider Team
