Fauna
Arachnid

Tailed Cellar Spider

Crossopriza lyoni

Also known as Tailed Daddy Longlegs Spider, Box Spider

Tailed cellar spiders hang inverted in messy, irregular cobwebs spun in quiet corners of rooms, sheds, and ceilings. When disturbed by potential predators, they whirl their bodies rapidly in circles, blurring their silhouette to confuse attackers. Their distinctive boxy abdomen terminates in a pointed dorsal projection, resembling a small tail that separates them from other common household spiders.

SynanthropicNocturnalWeb Builder
Tailed Cellar Spider reference
(c) Lucinda Gibson, Museum Victoria, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMosquitoes, Flies, Ants
Predators
  • Jumping spiders
  • Geckos
  • Centipedes
ThreatsPesticide application and routine indoor cleaning
HabitatsHuman habitations, caves, outbuildings, and rock crevices
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyPholcidae
  3. GenusCrossopriza
  4. SpeciesCrossopriza lyoni
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observe web vibration: Lightly blow on the web to watch the spider engage in rapid whirling defense behavior.
  • Inspect the abdomen: Use a hand lens to view the unusual square profile and tail-like dorsal bump.
  • Indoor coexistence: Leave webs in low-traffic indoor corners to provide natural pest control against mosquitoes and flies.
Related species
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