Longbodied Cellar Spider with an egg case.

I found this spider on our front porch this Fall. It is Pholcus phalangiotides, a member of the group called “Cellar Spiders”. Its common name is “Longbodied Cellar Spider. This species has a worldwide range, and is commonly found in and around buildings. The photograph shows a female clutching an egg sac full of very large egg (about 1mm in diameter).. The other striking thing about this creature is its very long legs. In fact, the long legs of this species cause it to be mistaken for a Daddylonglegs, a completely different creature. This female has suffered a bit of damage, because it only has six of its eight legs remaining.

Inside buildings the Longbodied Cellar Spider builds a tangled web in some corner. However, it commonly ventures outside its web to prey on other spiders. After it approaches another spider, it uses its long legs to draw silk from its spinnerets and then tosses it at the other spider, Only after the other spider is thoroughly entangled, will the Longbodied Cellar Spider approach and subdue the prey with a bite.

Longbodied Cellar Spider with egg case,

This is a slightly larger view of the same spider. Several of its eyes can be seen as black dots just behind the egg case.