Smeringopus pallidus

Smeringopus pallidus, known as the pale daddy-long-leg,[1] is a species of spider of the genus Smeringopus, family Pholcidae. It is a cosmopolitan species found in many countries.[2]

Pale daddy-long-leg
Female with eggsac
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Pholcidae
Genus: Smeringopus
Species:
S. pallidus
Binomial name
Smeringopus pallidus
(Blackwall, 1858)

Description

This species has a body length up to 7 mm, with males being smaller than females.[3] It has a cylindrical and elongate abdomen.[4] 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. A synanthropic spider, it builds irregular cobwebs in sheltered areas to capture small insects and other spiders for food.[3] The legs lack spines and have a few vertical hairs. The female has a simple epigynum without pockets.[5]

Pale daddy-long-leg with eggs
Male

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.[6]

See also

References
  1. "General Information". Cook Islands Biodiversity Database. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  2. "Smeringopus pallidus (Blackwall, 1858)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  3. "Species Smeringopus pallidus". Bug Guide. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  4. "Smeringopus pallidus (Blackwall, 1858) - Pholcidae" (PDF). pholcidae species. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  5. "Description of male and female of Smeringopus pallidus". araneae.unibe.ch. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  6. Koh, Joseph K. H. "Pale Daddy-Long-Leg". A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders. Retrieved 6 May 2016.


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