Species of the Month - March 2016

Cellar Spider: Pholcus Phalangioides

 

These long-legged spiders go by many names, including 'cobweb spiders' and 'daddy long leg spiders'. They are very common, and quite easy to identify, yet we currently only have 66 records of the species in the SEWBReC database! In the UK they almost exclusively live in buildings - so you may not even need to leave your house to see one (check the corners of the ceiling). These spiders predate on small invertebrates and other spiders (even taking on spiders much bigger than themselves!) and when disturbed they will vibrate violently - hence yet another name for the species: 'vibrating spider'.

More information on Pholcus Phalangioides is available from Naturespot.

This map on Aderyn shows the distribution of Pholcus Phalangioides at a 10km square level for the whole of Wales. Zoom in or click on a 10km square to see the 1km square record distribution.

If you spot this spider species during March (or see it at any other time of year), please send us the record, ideally via SEWBReCORD or the LERC Wales App. Instructions on how to submit records are available here.