''Smeringopus pallidus'', known as the pale daddy-long-leg, is a species of
spider
Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...
of the genus ''
Smeringopus'', family
Pholcidae
The Pholcidae are a family of araneomorph spiders. The family contains over 1,800 individual species of pholcids, including those commonly known as cellar spider, daddy long-legs spider, carpenter spider, daddy long-legger, vibrating spid ...
. It is a cosmopolitan species found in many countries.
Description
This species has a body length up to 7 mm, with males being smaller than females.
It has a cylindrical and elongate abdomen. The purple spots along the dorsal surface of the abdomen are a characteristic feature. There is a dark stripe on the ventral surface of the
sternum
The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury. Sha ...
. A
synanthropic
A synanthrope (from the Greek σύν ''syn'', "together with" + ἄνθρωπος ''anthropos'', "man") is a member of a species of wild animal or plant that lives near, and benefits from, an association with human beings and the somewhat artific ...
spider, it builds irregular cobwebs in sheltered areas to capture small insects and other spiders for food.
The legs lack spines and have a few vertical hairs. The female has a simple
epigynum without pockets.
Habitat
''Smeringopus pallidus'' can be found in dusty and dark corners of the house. They also build their webs under covered drains and on mud walls in gardens and the countryside. When disturbed, they hang upside down in the web and vibrate themselves vigorously to confuse the intruder.
See also
*
List of Pholcidae species
This page lists all described genera and species of the spider family Pholcidae. , the World Spider Catalog accepts 1820 species in 94 genera:
A ''Aetana''
'' Aetana'' Huber, 2005
* '' Aetana abadae'' Huber, 2015 — Philippines
* '' Aetana ba ...
References
External links
Crossopriza Iyoni and Smeringopus pallidus: cellar spiders new to Florida
Spiders described in 1858
Pholcidae
Cosmopolitan spiders
{{Pholcidae-stub