Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings: Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Pholcus phalangioides affectionately called the daddy long-legs spider

I was so surprised to find this wonderful spider on a door post. These are lovely creatures and should be warmly welcomed into any home. They are very clean and mop up any small insects and mites that they find whilst on patrol. They prefer to walk away from any humans and so once they have seen you it may be quite a while before you are able to see them again. They are the nursery nurse of spiders as they take special care of their young – ferrying them about and feeding each youngster directly from their mouths.

Pholcus phalangioides which is affectionately called the Daddy Long-Legs spider and lives mostly in houses and cavesPholcus phalangioides affectionately called the daddy long-legs spider 

They have a way of trying to remain safe and that is to shake quite violently until they appear to be a blur.

15 comments:

Babs-beetle said...

They may be very clean but anything with eight legs makes me shudder - though not until I'm a blur!

Ann said...

I have lots of these in my basement and as long as they don't bug me I don't bug them. :)

Cascia Talbert said...

That is very interesting. I had no idea that spiders can be so helpful.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

self defense Rob said...

Yeah, you still aren't convincing my wife... heh.

John B said...

We used to love watching them when we were kids. I remember going camping and it seems like they would always walk across the tops of our tents... creating a very large shadow! :)

Unknown said...

Wow that's a big one!

BK said...

Interesting to learn about this spider. It is not often that I get to see this type of spider indeed. And I have no idea that they help to clean and mop up any small insects and mites; we should gladly welcome them indeed.

WillOaks Studio said...

awesome! I love daddy long legs and like you, I appreciate that they take care of gnats, etc. which are the kind of bugs that really DO bug me. I'm nervous about some poisonous spiders we have here, but I love the harmless ones.

Jacqueline said...

Spiders love to attach themselves to my home in the summer, especially around the outside of my entrance door. I'll just have to remember the benefits. Thanks for sharing.

Stacy said...

wow that creeps me out! I have always get goosebumps when I see a spider...especially that big!

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Sandi said...

I always liked these guys as a kid. I used to let them walk all over me. Then again, I was not afraid of any bug or spider as a kid. Or snake now that I think about it. Probably should have been! haha

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Grampy said...

I use to try to play with them when I was a kid. They would take off fast.
Thanks for the information.

jj-momscashblog said...

Love your blog chocked full of bit's and pieces of information. I love the post about Grammpy Long Legs. Have always loved them, and now knowing how they feed their young and take care of them, my love for them is even stronger. I can't believe the people that I know who scream when they see this spider, and you come out and ask what's the matter and they are pointing to a Grammpy Long Legs. honestly Great work. jj

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