This is Part 1 of a 3 part series. Click here if you’d like to go back and read Part 1: What Is A Daddy Long legs and stay tuned for Part 3: Pholcidae - Does Death Await You In The Basement?** (coming soon)
It is a commonly held belief that daddy long legs is the most venomous spider in the world, but its fangs are too small or too weak to break human skin. Is this true? Today, we’ll examine the daddy long legs in the left picture:
The Harvestman
All harvestman species belong to an order of arachnids called Opiliones. It is a rather large order with quite a bit of diversity, containing some 6600 known species worldwide with over 100 of those being found in North America! Not all species of harvestman would fit the name “daddy long legs”, though. Some species, especially many of those found in tropical regions, have much shorter legs. However, the most common harvestmen found in North America are of the long-legged variety and belong to the genus Leiobunum, so they will be the focus of this discussion.
Is The Harvestman The Deadliest Spider In The World?
Not Even Close!
The harvestman isn’t even a spider! Spiders make up an entirely different order of arachnids called Araneae. Like spiders, the body of a harvestman is made up of two segments: the cephalothorax and abdomen. A cephalothorax is kind of like a fusion of the head and chest area, and it is the portion of an arachnid that the legs attach to. Unlike spiders, whose cephalothorax and abdomen are visibly separated by a thin pedicel, the body of a harvestman is fused together. Another obvious difference between Opiliones and Araneae lies in the eyes, although most probably haven’t gotten close enough to notice, so you may need to check out the photo below for reference. Harvestmen only have 2 eyes compared to a spider’s 6 or 8. And they are not particularly useful, only being able to sense light intensity and possibly some movement. Contrast that with the jumping spider, which can form detailed images and even tell how far away objects are! The differences don’t stop there. Harvestmen do not spin webs or have venom glands; both characteristics that almost all spiders share. In fact, the spitting spider has extra silk glands attached to their venom glands, so they are able to spit venom-laced webs that ensnare their prey.
Look Into My Eyes
So, You’re Saying They’re Harmless?
They are completely harmless! Their only lines of defense seem to be forcing a leg to fall off in hopes that it will twitch around enough to distract would-be predators or, in some species, to dowse them with a foul smelling liquid a-la stinkbugs. Their jaws are so weak and small, they probably couldn’t bite you even if they tried.
As a matter of fact, Opiliones may be beneficial to the environment. The eat a little bit of everything. Sometimes they catch and eat soft-bodied insects and slugs that can be harmful to gardens; other times they act as scavengers, eating dead and decaying matter and helping the decomposition process along.
The Life Of A Harvestman
The Opiliones mating ritual is unique among arachnids. Where most other arachnids transfer DNA packets called spermatophores indirectly from male to female; often times simply leaving it on the ground for the female to pick up, harvestmen copulate directly to induce fertilization. Once eggs are laid, they will be guarded by either the male of the female, depending on the species. After hatching, the baby harvestman looks similar to the adult in body shape. As it grows, it will go through 6 molts, one every week and a half or so, before reaching adulthood. The life span of of a harvestman depends greatly on climate. Most of the Opiliones here in Arkansas will only live for about a year before being killed by the first frost.
In Conclusion
Harvestmen may look creepy with those 8 long, dangly legs, but they are completely harmless. Even if they were able to bite through human skin, they completely lack venom glands; it wouldn’t be any more than a pinch. So, if the harvestman isn’t the deadly daddy long legs of myth and legend, is it the cellar spider that we should fear? Find out tomorrow in Part 3 of the series.