![]() 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. Woodlice, mosquitoes, and other spiders like the redback Quick Facts Other NamesĬaves, cellars, garages, and warehouses, and basements Though they are venomous (like 99 of all North American spiders), they are not poisonous. These spiders are commonly found in dark, secluded places such as cellars, basements, and caves, which explains their name. The eggs are carried underneath the body of the female until they hatch in about three or four. It has long and slender legs which often seem disproportionate to its tiny body. The female lays twenty to forty eggs several months after mating. This dynamic ensures a balanced ecosystem, preventing any single species from becoming overly dominant. The Long-bodied Cellar Spider has very small chelicera (mouth parts) and is not known to bite people. The Short-Bodied Cellar Spider is scientifically known as Pholcus globosus. 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. Larger spider species pose a significant threat, showcasing the delicate balance within their ecosystem. Our study species was the long-bodied cellar spider, Pholcus. Looks-wise, these spiders have spindly legs around four times as long as their bodies with dark nodes at the joints. Natural Predators: Despite their beneficial role, these spiders are not without predators. Mating behaviour in the cellar spider, Pholcus phalangioides, indicates sperm mixing. Scientists have so far identified 34 native and introduced species of cellar spiders in North America (via the University of Idaho), with the Pholcus phalangiodes, or long-bodied cellar spiders, among the most commonly spotted. We here report an example of web enhancement at good sites by the long-bodied cellar spider, Pholcus. The eggsac of many webspinning species are found in and around the webs. Youve probably spotted this long-legged spider hiding in the corner of a house or building. Their webs help in trapping a variety of pests, aiding in pest control. Most cover the eggs with a sheet of tough silk that can attach to almost any surface. The long-bodied cellar spider plays a significant role in controlling insect populations, contributing to the ecological balance within their habitats. ![]() Ecological Importance and Behavior of Long Bodied Cellar Spider
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