Family PHOLCIDAE C.L. Koch, 1851

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Introduction

These fragile long-legged spiders include a number of cosmopolitan species but there are many native species of this family. The spiders hang from a lightly woven tangle web that often has an irregular horizontal sheet within it. The small fangs are able to bite man but bites from both Pholcus phalangioides and Artema atlanta (QM records) have been of no consequence; equally, studies on the venom have indicated no components which are of concern to man. The spiders are capable of taking and killing other well known spiders, e.g., the Redback Spider, Latrodectus hasseltii.

Diagnosis

The Pholcidae differ from all other haplogyne spiders by their extremely elongate and slender legs. Chelicerae fused at base: median lamella ends distally with membranous tooth-like structure. Eight or six eyes. When present, AME small; rest of eyes in two triads. Male palp complex with elaborate procursus (=paracymbium). Colulus present. One trichbothrium on metatarsi, none on tarsi. Female palp without a claw.

History of changes