Quck answer
Daddy longlegs, also known as harvestmen, are not spiders despite their similar appearance. They belong to the order Opiliones while spiders belong to the order Araneae. Daddy longlegs have one body segment while spiders have two. They also lack venom and silk glands. Daddy longlegs are found all over the world and are known for their ability to detach their legs as a defense mechanism. They primarily feed on small insects and decaying matter. Despite their reputation as venomous, they are harmless to humans.
Wild Animals
The harvestman spider (Leiobunum rotundum) is commonly known as a daddy longlegs, but so are numerous other long-legged insects and non-insect species. Arterra/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
There is a popular myth that daddy longlegs spiders have the most potent venom of any spider, but their fangs are too weak to penetrate human skin. However, this belief is entirely false. Furthermore, the term “daddy longlegs” is an informal name that has been used to refer to many unrelated animals, most of which are not spiders.
Biologist and author Rick Vetter explains that common names can be problematic. These names are colloquial and often region-specific. In contrast, scientific names follow a binomial nomenclature system, with every organism having a unique combination of a capitalized genus name and a species name that is internationally recognized.
Harvestmen: The Real Daddy Longlegs
When Americans use the term “daddy longlegs,” they are usually referring to one of the 6,000 arachnid species within the order Opiliones, also known as harvestmen. However, it is crucial to note that harvestmen are not spiders. Unlike spiders, harvestmen have a fused body that gives them an oval-like appearance and only two eyes instead of eight. Harvestmen do not produce silk and do not build webs. They also lack venom and instead use their appendages to rip apart their prey, which includes slugs, earthworms, and other invertebrates.
It is worth noting that in Great Britain, the term “daddy longlegs” is used to refer to crane flies, which are flies and not arachnids at all.
This Mitostoma chrysomelas, photographed in The Netherlands, is often mistakenly called a daddy longlegs.
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
The insects in question are identified as crane flies, which can be distinguished from other arachnids by their three pairs of legs. These insects belong to the Tipulida family, which includes over 4,400 species and are commonly referred to as daddy longlegs in England. Unlike mosquitoes, crane flies do not consume blood and spend most of their lives as larvae in water or soil. When they mature, they become two-winged adults with long legs, which can be twice the length of their body. While some species stop eating after the larval stage, crane flies serve as an essential food source for various animals, including spiders, birds, and reptiles. However, the term “daddy longlegs” is also used to describe a group of spiders known as Pholcidae, which reside in dark places, including basements, and are not harmful to humans. These spiders have tiny fangs that form pincers, which are venomous but not dangerous to humans. Pholcus phalangioides, in particular, feeds on other spiders, so rumors of their super-toxic venom are unfounded. Contrary to popular belief, spiders exist on every continent except Antarctica, and the claim that people are never more than three feet away from spiders is false.
FAQ
1. What are daddy longlegs?
Daddy longlegs, also known as harvestmen, are arachnids that belong to the order Opiliones. They are not spiders, although they may look similar in appearance.
2. How can you tell daddy longlegs apart from spiders?
Daddy longlegs have a distinct body shape with a single, rounded abdomen, while spiders have two distinct body parts, the cephalothorax and abdomen. Additionally, daddy longlegs have only one pair of eyes, while most spiders have eight.
3. What do daddy longlegs eat?
Daddy longlegs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They primarily feed on small insects, but also consume fungi and plant matter.
4. Are daddy longlegs poisonous?
No, daddy longlegs are not poisonous. While they may produce defensive secretions that are distasteful to predators, they are harmless to humans.
5. Do daddy longlegs have any beneficial effects on the environment?
Yes, daddy longlegs play an important role in the ecosystem as decomposers. They help break down dead plant material and recycle nutrients back into the soil.
6. Where do daddy longlegs live?
Daddy longlegs are found worldwide in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and deserts. They prefer moist environments and can often be found under rocks, logs, and leaf litter.
7. How do daddy longlegs defend themselves?
Daddy longlegs have several defense mechanisms to protect themselves from predators. They can emit a foul-smelling odor, play dead, or detach their legs to escape from predators.
8. Can daddy longlegs harm plants?
No, daddy longlegs are not harmful to plants. In fact, they can be beneficial by consuming plant material and helping to break it down into nutrients for the soil.
9. Are there different types of daddy longlegs?
Yes, there are over 6,500 species of daddy longlegs worldwide. They vary in size, color, and habitat preferences.
10. Can daddy longlegs be kept as pets?
Yes, daddy longlegs can be kept as pets in a terrarium. However, they are not as commonly kept as other arachnids such as tarantulas or scorpions.
11. Do daddy longlegs have any cultural significance?
Yes, daddy longlegs have been featured in folklore and mythology in various cultures. In some Native American traditions, they are believed to bring good luck, while in others they are seen as a symbol of death.
Leave a Reply