ARACHNIDA > ARANEAE > Pholcidae

Pholcidae is a small family of just three species that are collectively known as 'cellar spiders' due to their close association with human habitation. They all have eight eyes and very long legs.

Only one is common, Pholcus phalangioides. It's the largest of the three species and, from a quick glance, could easily be confused with a harvestman. They're usually found indoors or in outbuildings where they construct loose open webs, normally formed in corners at ceiling or roof level, where they wait for prey. The species has an unusual defensive strategy of rapidly vibrating in the web when they feel threatened, which confuses and deters predators presumably by making the spider difficult to see. This particular pholcid has the common name of the Daddy Long-legs Spider as it's the largest of the three species and the one with the longest legs.

The first individual featured below was living in a small storage shed before I accidently disturbed it, but decided to quickly exit onto the patio where it lingered long enough for a couple of photos. I'm sure that later on it would have made its way back inside. The next was living in my garage workshop above the metal door, and the last, a juvenile, was photographed indoors.     

Whereas Pholcus phalangioides is invariably seen at ceiling level, its close relative Psilochorus simoni is more often found on the ground. It's an uncommon and infrequently recorded species with very scattered distribution. The remaining British pholcid is the even rarer Holocnemus pluchei. These last two are the true 'cellar spiders' and species that I wouldn't expect to encounter.

Updated, Nov.23 (v.2)