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What is a cellar spider?

Pholcus phalangioides is also known as the skull spider due its body resembling a human skull.

Its poison is mostly harmless to humans, but can cause reactions to those who are allergic to insect stings, while the holes left by the bite should be treated to ensure they do not become infected.

Females have a body length of about 9 mm while males are usually smaller. 

The length of its legs are about 5 or 6 times the length of its body, with a female's pegspan reaching up to 7cm.

They get the name from their propensity to live in places such as cellars, garages and caves.

Sometimes they are referred to as 'cannibal spiders' as they will hunt and eat other spiders such as the hobo or redblack.

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