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Harvestman from Baja

Posted by March 12th, 2008 at 12:00 am

Categories

Opiliones and Harvestmen

Bug identification
I was on a trip in Baja, and there were hundreds of these on the ground. I am a leader in an outdoor program and I would like to know what exactly these are for future reference. The attached picture shows a medium sized one (about an inch and a half long, excluding the longest leg). This particular one is missing a leg; there is normally one long leg on both sides. They did appear to have fangs, so at first glance they looked like spiders. However, they had no web, and were in large groups, so I’m not sure what exactly they are. Thanks!
Jason Payne

Hi Jason,
Your creature is known as a Harvestman in the order Opiliones. Harvestmen are sometimes called Daddy Long Legs and they are relatives of spiders that are scavengers.

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