Pholcid
Guides
Holocnemus
cellar spiders
Holocnemus is a genus of cellar spiders (family Pholcidae) first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1873. The genus is distinguished by dark marks on the leg femora and tibiae in both sexes, a trait shared with related genera Crossopriza, Stygopholcus, and Maghreba. As of October 2025, the genus comprises four species, with H. pluchei being the most widely distributed due to human-mediated introduction outside its native range.
Pholcus manueli
Manuel's Cellar Spider, cellar spider, daddy longlegs
Pholcus manueli is a cellar spider (family Pholcidae) native to temperate Asia, with established introduced populations in the United States. The species is expanding its range in North America and has been documented in anthropogenic habitats. It exhibits leg autotomy as an anti-predator defense, with autotomy rates in natural populations ranging 5–40%. Unlike some related cellar spiders, P. manueli does not regenerate lost legs. The species has been the subject of research on locomotor performance across inclined substrates.
Pholcus phalangioides
Long-bodied Cellar Spider, Cosmopolitan Cellar Spider, Daddy Long-legs Spider
Pholcus phalangioides is a long-legged cellar spider native to Asia that has become cosmopolitan through human association. Females reach about 7-8 mm body length with legs 5-6 times longer; males are slightly smaller at 6-10 mm. The species is notable for building loose, irregular webs in dark indoor spaces and for its specialized predatory behaviors including web invasion and aggressive mimicry. It preys on other spiders—including dangerous species such as redbacks—and exhibits a distinctive whirling defense against predators. Despite common misconceptions, its bite is harmless to humans.
Physocyclus californicus
A cellar spider species in the family Pholcidae, distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults are active during fall months, with males wandering in search of mates. The species frequently occurs in human dwellings, where it constructs webs in ceiling corners and other sheltered locations.
Smeringopus
cellar spiders
Smeringopus is a genus of cellar spiders (family Pholcidae) comprising 55 species, making it the most species-rich pholcid genus in Africa. First described by Eugène Simon in 1890, the genus is largely restricted to central, southern, and eastern Africa, though some species occur in South America, Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands. Members include some of the largest and most conspicuous pholcid spiders in their range. The genus is divided into twelve operational species groups based on morphological and geographic patterns. Smeringopus is the sister taxon to the western and central African genus Smeringopina.