![]() This spider also has an elongate abdomen with mottled coloration with a dark brown sternum and dark brown longitudinal stripe on its belly. In the southwestern portion of the U.S., a Mediterranean species, the marbled cellar spider, Holocnemus pluchei, has become well established from the San Francisco Bay area, south to San Diego along the coast and east to Arizona. It also has a darkened pattern around the eyes that is frequently mistaken for the violin of a brown recluse, causing it to be misidentified, leading to unnecessary concern. It has an elongate tannish-gray abdomen with no other markings. Originally from Europe, the long-bodied cellar spider has been in the Americas for centuries. The most common and widespread species is the long-bodied cellar spider, Pholcus phalangioides. Long-Bodied Cellar Spider | Pholcus phalangioides One must be aware, however, this is a different creature than a daddy- or granddaddy-long-leg, which belong to another distinct grouping of arachnids. They’re often referred to as daddy-long-legs. They have long, thin legs and hang upside down from flimsy webs. This species does not usually show up in abundance, but can cause concern when it does.Ĭellar spiders are one of the most ubiquitous spiders found in and around homes throughout North America. Control issues would be similar to that of typical spiders. The effects are usually gone within an hour. There is, however, some pain from the mechanical fang penetration. The bite of a woodlouse spider is rather benign to humans. The eyes are rudimentary and probably only allow the spider to detect shadows or determine light from dark. It has six small eyes scrunched together near the front of the cephalothorax. It has long fangs, which it uses to kill its prey by reaching underneath the rolled up creature and injecting venom. The woodlouse spider is rather distinctive in its coloration, with a dark cinnamon colored cephalothorax and an elongate abdomen, which varies from gray to tan. They’re common in many parts of the United States and have only recently been found in decent numbers in the Pacific Northwest. The spider gets its name from its prey, the woodlouse, also known as sow bugs, isopods and roly-poly. Originating in Eastern Europe, they have spread throughout the world. Woodlouse spiders, Dysdera crocata, are commonly found in homes and gardens throughout North America. ![]() Control would be best by spraying upwards under overhangs and in holes. These spiders are most often found in places that offer some harborage like under wood or potted plants, in debris, in pipes of fences and bicycle racks. Because this spider has the word widow as part of its name, it will generate concern from homeowners even though it is not as dangerous as a black widow. ![]() There has, however, been one report of a verified bite that required hospitalization. The most typical reactions caused by verified brown widow bites are pain when it happens, as well as a small red mark. In most cases, bites from a brown widow don’t produce extreme manifestation of envenomation similar to black widow bites. ![]() No other urban North American spider makes an egg sac like the brown widow’s, making it one of the few examples where identification can be confirmed without seeing the actual spider. One of the most identifiable aspects of brown widows is the egg sac, which has small silk spines poking out of its surface. A series of brown and white spots along the abdomen runs on its top with three diagonal lines on the sides. The brown widow is bedecked in tan and brown mottled coloration with an orange hourglass on the ventral portion of its abdomen. In the first part of the 21st century, however, they expanded their range to include coastal areas from South Carolina to Texas and urban southern California. A native to either Africa (most likely) or South America (less likely), the brown widow has, for many decades, been restricted to Florida. It’s not nearly as toxic, however, as its better-known relative. The brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus, is related to the medically important black widow spider. ![]() Interestingly, all of these spiders, which are common enough to require occasional control measures or are at least noticed by the average homeowner, are non-native species that are now flourishing in North America. In this article, a smattering of other spiders are discussed, all which are harmless or are of minor medical concern. 2008), hobo and yellow sac spiders ( PMP, Dec. These included the brown recluse ( PMP, June 2008), black widow ( PMP, Sept. All have been either medically important or at least medically implicated at one point in the past. In previous articles, various spiders of concern to the pest management industry have been discussed. ![]()
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