The daddy long-legs spider, Pholcus phalangioides, is a true spider of the family Pholcidae, common in houses, cellars and sheds worldwide, recognizable by its extremely long, thin legs and small pale body suspended in a loose, irregular web. It vibrates rapidly in its web when disturbed, a defense thought to blur its outline against predators, and it is a persistent folk myth, not supported by evidence, that its venom is exceptionally toxic to humans but unable to penetrate human skin.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 1 Living or Extinct Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Araneae, Taxa Source Wikidata: Daddy Long-Legs Spider
In Biome
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Pholcus phalangioides
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Pholcus phalangioides
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Pholcus phalangioides
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyPrimary Diet, Pholcus phalangioides
Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative Impacts
Negative Impacts household pest
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
In Biome: Grassland, Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial Biomes savanna or grassland savanna or grassland forest forest
In Biome: Savanna, Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial Biomes savanna or grassland savanna or grassland forest forest
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ1164137, descriptionView the Source 4. NatureServe Explorer: Pholcus phalangioides
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
View the Source 5. Wikidata: Daddy Long-Legs Spider
6. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Pholcus phalangioides
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 2149937, category fieldQuote, GBIF taxon key 2149937, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
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