Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2162512
Oecobius cellariorum
Oecobius cellariorumAlso known as Wall Spider, Mediterranean Wall Spider
Oecobius cellariorum is a tiny, flat spider renowned for its extreme speed and unique hunting technique on vertical walls. It constructs a small, star-shaped silken tent over cracks or crevices, emerging rapidly when prey wanders nearby. Upon detecting an insect, it circles its target in frantic, tight loops, wrapping the victim in sticky silk before delivering a paralyzing bite.
ArachnidWall DwellerTiny
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Ants
- Booklice
- Gnats
Predators
- Cellar Spiders
- Jumping Spiders
- Centipedes
ThreatsPesticide application and routine surface cleaning
HabitatsStone walls, buildings, crevices, and rocky outcrops
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyOecobiidae
- SpeciesOecobius cellariorum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Examine masonry: Check stucco or brick walls for tiny flat webs over tiny cracks.
- Watch the hunt: Observe their rapid circular sprint when an ant touches their web edges.
Predator (c) Michael, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael · cc-by
Prey no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh · cc0
Close Relative (c) Shannon Stoner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Shannon Stoner · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.