I was having a tough time deciding what to write about tonight until I had a suggestion from one of my biggest fans, my mom! She originally wanted me to write about the “Dock Spider” but I think I will save that post for another day. Her second choice was to write about the Harvestman! Of course, she called them something a little more familiar, “Daddy Longlegs.” Let’s move onto the interesting stuff.
As I mentioned, in North America, the Harvestman is better known as the Daddy Longlegs. In Europe this common name is reserved for another insect called the Crane Fly, which will also be discussed in the future. The biggest and most important thing you need to know about Daddy Longlegs, I hope you are sitting for this one, is that they are not actually spiders. They may look like spiders but they are very different. Instead of having eight eyes such as a regular spider, the harvestman only have two. As well, spiders have two body segments while the “daddy longlegs” have their head, thorax and abdomen all fused together into one. Just to make sure everyone is clear, the daddy longlegs is part of the Arachnid class like spiders, however, they are not actually spiders. To put it another way it would be the same as mistaking a mosquito for a ladybug. Mosquitoes are insects but not beetles.
Now, let’s talk about the most prominent feature of the harvestman. Their extremely long and special second pair of legs. This set of legs touches the ground before any other part of the harvestman. They contain special sensory organs that allow them to get an advance taste and feel for the ground ahead. Basically, these legs act as their nose, tongue, ears and perhaps even as a second set of eyes. Unfortunately, the harvestman have a defense mechanism that causes them to lose their legs if they are in danger. This obviously allows them the ability to escape, if necessary. I tell you this so you don’t handle these special animals too much. The loss of their legs is a serious problem since it would be like taking away your nose, mouth and ears!
Harvestman Fast Fact: The daddy longlegs are not capable of killing or poisoning their own prey so will resort to eating dead insects or the eggs of insects and spiders.
Thank you Nathan. I’m amazed of how much I learn from your site. I always thought that a “daddy long legs” was a spider.
No problem! I am just glad I am able to clear up some myths and educate a few people along the way.
Thanks for all of the support!
wow i had no idea that the “daddylong leg” isin’t actually a spider
Most people don’t, Hailey!
There is a Harvestman living in our bathroom. He(or she) has been there for almost a month. It usually sits on the shower curtain or on the wall next to the shower. It doesn’t move very much even after Gracie the cat became curious and removed one of its legs before I was able to shoo her way.
Would you imagine this is common behavior for a Harvestman? Previously, I’ve only seen them outdoors.
Hi Catherine,
I don’t think it is uncommon for harvestman to hang out inside, however, it is a little weird that it has been there for a month and has hardly moved. Are you sure it isn’t dead 🙂
I am really surprised that it wouldn’t have left after Gracie introduced herself. I wish I could offer an explanation for this bizarre behaviour but I can’t at this time. I will continue to research and if I come across an reason then I will be sure to let you know.
Thanks for bringing this up. You have definitely intrigued me as to the cause for this behaviour.
Thanks for stopping by!
When I as a child, i was told that daddy long legs have enough venom to bring down an elephant, but have not means (fangs or the ability to bite) to do so. I have heard this many times growing up, and have repeated this “wive’s tale” since, and get no argument from people. Many seem to have heard the same. I have also heard, that they have no agressive tendencies whatsoever, and that they are mostly nocturnal. So, i bought a house with 5 acres. I was sitting out in the grass this morning, and something bit me on my thigh (felt like a little more than a mosquito, but less than a wasp sting). It then itched for about 5 minutes (i was afraid to scratch, hehe). Out of instinct, i smashed this single bodied creature and though, “huh? a daddy long legs just bit me?” The itching stopped, i went about my day. Same day, later this afternoon, i had one crawling on my shoulder. it never had the opportunity to taste me, however, now i am leery. Can you please clear up some of these myths, wive’s tales, or potential facts for me? Do I have anything to fear? Are they going to continue with their somewhat strange attraction to me? Even if non-posionous, will they bite out of fear, agression, territorial tendencies, or just to see if they can eat me? I don’t like smashing or killing spiders; i feel everything has it’s right to live, as long as it doesn’t jeapordize anyone’s health or well being. But when something stings or bites, i have a tendency to smash first and look later. =)
Hi Natascha,
Thank you so much for sharing this story. You definitely posed some very interesting questions about the Daddy Long Legs. I will try to answer them below but if you have require further clarification than please don’t hesitate to e-mail me or leave another comment.
The first problem with determining if “Daddy Long Legs” are poisonous is trying to figure out exactly which animal we are talking about. You see there are actually three different invertebrates that are often referred to by this name. The first is the Harvestmen, which this post was about, the second are Crane Flies, which look like large mosquitoes, and finally the Cellar Spiders are also referred to as Daddy Long Legs.
Out of these three species only the Cellar Spiders actually have venom glands. I believe the old wives tale you heard is about this type of spider. There has been some discussion as to whether or not their mouthparts are too small to actually be able to bite and inject this venom into its prey. The hit TV show “Mythbusters” actually did a show on whether or not this spider can bite. Way back in 2004 the host subjected himself to the cellar spider. He was indeed bitten but the reaction was a mild burning sensation. Nothing to really worry about.
Getting back to the other two “Daddy Long Legs”. The Harvestmen don’t have any fangs and won’t bite. They may be able to pinch you though with their claws. Generally, they are not known to be aggressive and will most likely pinch as a defense mechanism. Some of the larger harvestmen found in South America have some very sharp spines that can draw blood and deliver a painful pinch in the process.
The adult Crane Fly will not usually bite humans either since they will only feed on nectar (or not feed at all). As with several adult insects their main purpose is to mate and not feed.
Basically, you should be fine but it is weird how they seem to be attracted to you. If you are bitten again, you have nothing to worry about (other than the painful sting of course). I hope this helps answer your questions and as I said before, feel free to e-mail or comment if you have additional questions.
Thanks again for the interesting comment.
@Nathan,
I live in Spokane, WA (if that matters). but i was raised in Southeast Texas. Our “Dadd Longlegs” (as we called them there) were much longer legged and almost rounder bodied than what I am interpreting from the images to be the Harvestman species of So-called-spider-looking-thingie” (chuckle). I have seen many of them out today (i work as a cable install/repair technician, so i am outside most of the day). My belief was that most of them were mostly nocturnal. I paid more attention today, and most, if not ALL, of these little “spider-wanna-be’s” were shuffling around, undisturbed. They do in fact look more like harvestmen, but i can’t be certain. A customer today thought maybe he DID in fact pinch, sting, or slightly nibble on my flesh, and after smashing him into the slightly irritated flesh, any venom in his body cavity might have gotten into a pore or something. I just hate hurting any creature at all. So i feel terribly pained for smushing that guy. I was just feeling like i was in the middle of a Stephen King movie with all these spider like creatures crawling all over me. I am amazingly in awe with anything to do with nature and I love learning about all tiers of the food chain. I tried taking some pictures of “Charlotte” (who looks to be a beautiful salmon colored spine back. It’s a small one, not like the gigantic brown and white orb weaver i had a few years back. I will keep you posted on any new relatively “peculiar” behavior patterns on these native “whatchamacallit” 8-legged little buggars and will TRY to get some photos to share. Thank you for your VERY prompt response, and albeit the wierd taste i have for flies, fruit, and the occassional desire to spin a web, I am fairing rather well =) Have a great week and i will try to post again soon. Thank you for your insightful forum, I enjoy it!!!
natascha
Hi Natascha,
It is funny how these “bugs” are being attracted to you all of a sudden. Most harvestman are nocturnal, however, there are some species that hang out during the day. Therefore it is possible that you are seeing harvestman while you are trying to work.
As far as the pinch or bite. The pinch of a harvestman would definitely irritate the skin, however, they have no venom so there is no worry on that front. Only the cellar spiders have venom.
I love how you named the new spider “Charlotte”! I would definitely like to be kept in the loop with regards to any new bug stories that you may have.
As well, I am glad to hear you only have an occasional desire to spin a web. If I hear anything about a superhero dressed as a spider in Spokane, I will be sure to keep your identity a secret.
Thanks for stopping by Wild Facts.
Nathan
p.s. I have also heard from a this one customer, the same story i presented to you. ‘ “Daddy long legs” have enough venom (this person said) to kill a human being. More venom than (here comes the common misconception again…..) any spider known to man; they just can’t bite. ‘ Where are we learning these facts?!?! Are our parents just trying to get us all conditioned to NOT play with bugs? Closed-minded elderly simpletons!!!!! (chuckle….i am almost 34 now, and still love playing with bugs) So, to understand correctly, i should probably attempt a photo of the natives to assist in determining which little buggar is the flesh devouring human eater, huh? =)
hahahaha! I love the humour! Have you ever thought about writing your own blog (if you don’t already have one)?
I am not sure how these myths come about but they definitely get spread around eh. The funny thing is how easily we are all willing to believe these old wives tales. Apparently, it took Mythbusters and Bill Nye the Science Guy to disprove this venomous daddy longlegs myth.
Just so you know there have been certain Cellar Spiders that have been confused with the Brown Recluse Spider. For the record, the Recluse Spider is one you don’t want to mess with.
If you ever get a photo of the little bug than I would love to see it. I also have a few contacts that would be able to help identify it.
@Nathan, My little boy also got the impression that these critters are extremely venomous and is horrified at night at our cottage. Mind you, waking up with one crawling on you might freak anyone out, but I was sure to explain to him today that they can’t even kill their own prey! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
hahaha…That is a really great argument…”They can’t even kill their own prey”. I love that type of logic.
You are right, it would be creepy waking up with one of them crawling on you but they won’t cause any harm.
Thanks for sharing and providing an awesome parenting tip (I will definitely use the “prey” line if a similar situation arises).
We have a cottage in Brittany, France which abounds with harvestmen. I spend a great deal of
my holidays relocating harvestmen from danger zones such as the bath and shower
and proximity to beds as my husband and visitors either a) have no regard for these
creatures and kill on sight or b) run screaming if they even catch sight of one. Sad!
I am really upset to learn that the harvestmen’s legs are a sensory necesssity as I have just ‘rescued’ two of them which were trapped in wet paint.
One shed four legs (2 on each side) which possibly enabled it to survive with only
4 but the other poor thing was left with only 3 – two of which appeared to be stuck
together by paint. Oh dear!
Hi Scarlett,
First of all, it must be incredible to have a cottage in France. Especially if there are all kinds of harvestmen for you to look at! That is awfully sweet of you to relocate and protect these little guys from danger. I think that shows the type of person you are as not many people would be that caring about an “in-signficant bug”.
It sounds like the two harvestmen caught in paint are in a spot of trouble. They are pretty durable creatures though so maybe they were able to recover and still live a full life. I hope they didn’t wreck the paint job though 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Wild Facts and sharing your story. I always enjoy hearing other peoples stories and views on the various animals.
Wow! I’ve never Knew that the Harvestman is not a Spider but Wonders why it has no segments og parts XD heheh!
May I suggest for the Golden web Spider? 😀
Most people are not aware that “Daddy Longlegs” are not actually spiders. I love writing up those facts that make people go “hmmmm… I never knew that”.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will have a Wild Fact on the Golden orb Web Spider by the end of the week. They are fascinating little spiders so it should be a fun fact!
WOW……… Daddy longlegs are not spiders? Thats shocking!! I hate spiders but they are so interesting. Thanks so much for this article! I loved it, I learned so much!
where im from we call spiders that look more like this http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Daddy_long-legs_spider_1.jpg
daddy longlegs..i have never see one of those. im from northern california. but it looks pretty neat.
like everyone i know call these house spiders daddy longs legs even people from oregon and washington…i have no idea the real name of them or even if the link i sent is the same spider but it looks just like them
Hi Janell,
I believe the spider pictured here is called the Cellar Spider but you are right, they are also known as the Daddy Longlegs. Geez, that name is really over-used.
Unlike the Harvestman, the Cellar Spider is actually a true spider. If you are familiar with these spiders than you may also be familiar with a wide spread “old wives tale” about them. It is said that this is the most venomous spider in the world. It was also thought that the fangs of the spider were too small to penetrate human skin so we didn’t have to worry about it. Well, it turns out both of these statements are incorrect.
First, scientists have discovered that their venom only has a mild impact on insects so they are definitely not the most venomous spider in the world.
Secondly, Mythbusters proved that it is possible for these spiders to bite but the result was only a mild sting so nothing to be terribly concerned with.
Thanks for raising such a great question!
I was reading this specifically to find out why the 2 legs on this little guy walking past me were so long. I thought maybe they served as a kind of anntena. Than you for the info!