Daddy Long Legs
Common Name
Scientific Name
Daddy Long-Leg or Harvestmen
Opiliones
Identification:
The Daddy Long-Leg, also known as the Harvestman, is commonly confused with spiders due to their appearance and their 8 legs. This creature has 8 very long and slender legs, some species have shorter legs, and they have a compact oval body that ranges in size, 1/16 to a 1/2 inch. This type of insect does not create webs nor do they have fangs.
Biology:
When the Daddy Long-Leg reproduces it lays eggs deep in the soil, and in the spring the eggs hatch. This insect has been known to cluster with other Harvestmen during the fall, so they were named accordingly as the Harvestmen. This creature is unable to survive in cooler climates and therefore is not found in Northern regions.
Habits:
During the day this insect is normally hidden and at sunset it ventures out to look for food. The Harvestman feed on live insects, usually aphids. Other species feed on dead insects or plant juices. Harvestmen commonly live among plants or on tree trunks. Daddy-long-legs are rarely encountered in living areas of a building, but are more often found in crawl spaces, basements, and outbuildings. They often rest on buildings—on the walls, under the eaves, or in windowsills.
