Psilochorus simoni
2 to 3 mm long. Prosoma yellowish to light brown, slightly darkened in the middle. Legs yellowish to light brown. Opisthosoma bluish grey, egg-shaped or globular.
Pholcus phalangioides (6-8mm).
Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.
Most early records were from dry wine cellars, but it is now recorded in other indoor situations.
Adults may be found at all seasons.
The female hangs upside down in a tangled sheet web and gyrates very rapidly if disturbed. She carries the bundle of eggs in her chelicerae, loosely surrounded by silk threads, until they hatch. It is thought to be of American origin, imported first into France and then into Britain on wine bottles.
Widespread but scattered in Britain.
Few records for Leicestershire and Rutland, easily confused with Pholcus phalangioides but possibly increasing in frequency.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Species group:
- Spiders
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Araneae
- Family:
- Pholcidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 4
- First record:
- 08/12/2019 (Cann, Alan)
- Last record:
- 21/10/2022 (Cann, Alan)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.