Fauna
Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2162512

Oecobius cellariorum

Oecobius cellariorum

Also 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
Oecobius cellariorum reference1 / 2
Licensed reference(c) Rodolfo Salinas Villarreal, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. FamilyOecobiidae
  2. SpeciesOecobius cellariorum
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
  • 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.
Related species
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