Long-bodied cellar spider, Pholcus phalangoides*. |
These spiders look so delicate, so fragile, that it is surprising sometimes to find one halfway through eating a huge, hairy, large-fanged house spider.
The remains of a Tegenaria with the cellar spider who caught it. Compare the relative sizes of the pedipalps (feelers/grabbers, centre front, just above the fangs). |
At first glance, it looks like she has two eyes, instead of the usual eight; they're arranged in two clumps of three, with two tiny eyes in the centre.
Zooming in. She's got a fat belly; she may be pregnant. |
*The meaning of the name, Pholcus phalangioides, is uncertain, but it probably means "Squinty-eyed critter that looks like a harvestman"; both of these and the crane flies share the nickname, "Daddy long-legs".
Such a beautiful colour to her body. We don't get many spiders up at the cabin, but I do see them float by at certain times with s wisp of web. - Margy
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