Pholcus disappearing act

[hatless]

Despite being an arachnophobe, I have a soft spot for Pholcus phalangioides spiders (perhaps because they're more like harvestmen, which I can handle perfectly happily). I've been particularly impressed by their ability to make themselves invisible!

I haven't noticed it in all the houses I've lived in, but the Pholcus we've sometimes had, if disturbed while sitting on a web, would whirl themselves around. The feet remain still, but the long thin legs start to throw the body round in mad circles. When they've got a good speed up the spider is literally impossible to see.

I assume this is a defence or camouflage behaviour, and it seems a pretty unique one. An animal that can make itself invisible at will! Have others noticed this? Is it unique to this spider?

[thunder]

Originally Posted by hatless

Despite being an arachnophobe, I have a soft spot for Pholcus phalangioides spiders (perhaps because they're more like harvestmen, which I can handle perfectly happily). I've been particularly impressed by their ability to make themselves invisible!

I haven't noticed it in all the houses I've lived in, but the Pholcus we've sometimes had, if disturbed while sitting on a web, would whirl themselves around. The feet remain still, but the long thin legs start to throw the body round in mad circles. When they've got a good speed up the spider is literally impossible to see.

I assume this is a defence or camouflage behaviour, and it seems a pretty unique one. An animal that can make itself invisible at will! Have others noticed this? Is it unique to this spider?

It's certainly typical Pholcus behavour, and I've not seen such behaviour described for any other spider species.

henrya

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by thunder

It's certainly typical Pholcus behavour, and I've not seen such behaviour described for any other spider species.

henrya

I often see young Araneus diadematus vibrating their web when disturbed but not to the same degree as Pholcus but guess it serves the same purpose.

Originally Posted by hatless

Despite being an arachnophobe, I have a soft spot for Pholcus phalangioides spiders (perhaps because they're more like harvestmen, which I can handle perfectly happily).

Strangely I am relatively okay with Pholcus - but find harvestmen scary...

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by hatless

Despite being an arachnophobe, I have a soft spot for Pholcus phalangioides spiders (perhaps because they're more like harvestmen, which I can handle perfectly happily). I've been particularly impressed by their ability to make themselves invisible!

Another reason to like them is the fact they eat the spiders you don't like!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Another reason to like them is the fact they eat the spiders you don't like!

I saw a Pholcus take a Tegeneria in my kitchen once + twice seen them take centipedes as well as small woodlice that wander into the kitchen.

[Venger]

They aren't the only spider to use this form of defense, though they do this more readily than many others.
Try not to make them do this to many times as it uses up a lot of energy.