Are Daddy Long Legs Spiders? Debunking Myths and Facts

Daddy long legs, often considered spiders, belong to two different groups of arachnids: pholcid spiders and harvestmen.

While both have long legs, there are some distinctions that set them apart, leading to confusion surrounding their classification.

Pholcid spiders, sometimes referred to as cellar spiders or long-bodied cellar spiders, do fall under the category of spiders. They possess two body segments, eight eyes, fangs, and venom glands, and produce silk.

Some common features of pholcid spiders include their delicate legs and ability to be found in many types of buildings throughout the year.

On the other hand, harvestmen are arachnids belonging to the order Opiliones and are not classified as spiders. Some distinguishing features of harvestmen include:

• Single body segment
• Two eyes
• No fangs or venom glands

Since they are not venomous and do not produce silk, it is interesting to note they are actually closer to scorpions than spiders.

Daddy Long Legs: Myth and Reality

Origin of the Name

Daddy longlegs, also known as harvestmen, are prevalent in folklore on almost every continent except Antarctica. They get their name from their long, thin legs, which give them a unique appearance reminiscent of the limbs of an old man.

Common Misconceptions

Venomous spiders: Contrary to popular belief, daddy longlegs are not venomous spiders. In fact, they’re not even spiders at all!

MythBusters episode: A well-known myth surrounding daddy longlegs is that they have the most potent venom of any spider, yet their fangs are too small to pierce human skin.

This myth was debunked by MythBusters, who demonstrated that not only are daddy longlegs not venomous, but they also have no fangs to deliver venom.

Playground legend: Despite their harmless nature, daddy longlegs have been a source of scary stories and myths since ancient times.

Often, children have spread tales about the supposed dangers of these creatures during recess, fueling misinformation about these arachnids.

Comparison between Spiders and Daddy Longlegs

Characteristics of Daddy Longlegs

• One main body segment
• Two eyes
• No venom or silk glands
• Long, delicate legs that can easily break off

Having a clear understanding of the myth and reality behind daddy longlegs helps promote accurate information, dispelling misconceptions that have persisted for generations.

Classification and Types of Daddy Long Legs

Opiliones

Opiliones, also known as harvestmen, are a type of arachnid belonging to the order Opiliones. They differ from spiders in several ways:

• Single body segment
• Two eyes
• No fangs or venom glands

With these characteristics, Opiliones are not considered spiders or venomous. Some interesting features of Opiliones include:

• Long, slender legs
• Ability to lose a leg to escape predators
• No silk production

Cellar Spiders

Cellar spiders, from the family Pholcidae, are a group of spiders that are sometimes mistaken for daddy long legs. They have the following features:

• Two body segments
• Eight eyes
• Fangs with venom glands

As a part of the order Araneae, cellar spiders are true spiders. They can spin silk and create webs to capture prey.

Crane Flies

From the family Tipulidae, Crane flies are insects, not arachnids, often mistaken for large mosquitoes. Major differences between crane flies and daddy long legs are:

• Six legs instead of eight
• Two wings for flying
• Antennae and three body segments

Below is a comparison table of the three types discussed:

Anatomy and Appearance

Body Structure

Daddy long legs are arachnids, but they are not considered spiders. They belong to the order Opiliones, which makes them closer to scorpions. Their body is oval-shaped, with a single body segment.

The adult body size ranges from 1/16 to 1/2 inch long, and males usually have smaller bodies but longer legs than females.

Eyes

These creatures have only one pair of eyes, unlike spiders which typically have eight1. Their eyesight is often limited, relying more on their long legs to sense their surroundings.

Fangs

Daddy long legs do not have fangs or venom glands, as opposed to spiders that do. This means they are not venomous and pose no threat to humans.

Habitat and Behavior

Environment Preferences

Daddy long legs, also known as harvestmen or opilionids, are arachnids that can be found in various environments. They typically prefer:

• Moist habitats
• Living under logs and rocks

These creatures are not spiders, though they may appear similar. They lack silk glands and venom glands, which are common in spiders.

They also have one body segment and only two eyes, while spiders have two body segments and usually eight eyes.

Mating and Reproduction

The process of reproduction in daddy long legs can be simplified as follows:

1. Male daddy longlegs have a direct transfer of sperm to the female
2. Female daddy longlegs store the sperm in specialized structures called spermathecae
3. Eggs are fertilized internally within the female

The main differences between daddy long legs and spiders during reproduction include:

It’s important to note that daddy longlegs can easily detach their legs when attacked by predators, which is a behavior not observed in spiders.

In summary, daddy longlegs have unique habitats and behavioral traits that set them apart from spiders. They prefer moist environments, reproduce differently, and lack silk and venom glands.

Diet and Predation

Prey

Daddy longlegs are opportunistic feeders, meaning they eat a variety of small insects and other arthropods. Their diet includes:

• Flies
• Mosquitoes
• Mites
• Small insects

For example, daddy longlegs can efficiently capture and eliminate flies in your house, helping to keep the environment clean.

Natural Enemies

Daddy longlegs have several predators that hunt them down for food. These predators include:

• Mice
• Birds
• Large spiders
• Scorpions

Here is a comparison table showing the main prey and natural predators of daddy longlegs:

Are Daddy Long Legs Venomous?

Venom Analysis

Daddy long legs, also known as cellar spiders or harvestmen, have a common misconception of being highly venomous. However, research shows that they are not venomous.

Though they belong to the arachnid family, they do not possess the venom glands found in venomous spiders.

Here’s a comparison table to help differentiate between the different types of daddy long legs:

Biting Abilities

Daddy long legs, whether cellar spiders or harvestmen, lack the ability to bite humans. Their chelicerae (mouthparts) are too small to penetrate human skin, making them harmless creatures despite their creepy appearance.

Features of daddy long legs:

• Extremely long legs
• Chelicerae (grabby mouthparts) too small to bite humans
• Not venomous
• Can break off their legs to escape predators

Beneficial Roles and Health Concerns

Pest Control

Daddy long-legs spiders, or Pholcus phalangioides, also known as long-bodied cellar spiders, play a vital role in controlling pests.

They are beneficial arachnids because they feed on other insects, including harmful spiders such as black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa).

As a result, they can help maintain a healthy ecological balance.

Some important features of daddy long-leg spiders include:

• Feeding on various pests, such as spiders, ticks, and insects
• Being non-aggressive and harmless to humans
• Living in various locations, including cellars, garages, and attics

Daddy long-leg spiders have a few advantages as natural predators:

Pros:

• Effective in reducing the population of harmful spiders
• Non-venomous and pose little to no danger to humans
• Require minimal maintenance, as they can survive with little resources

Cons:

• Might create unsightly webs in certain areas
• Can increase in population if left unchecked
• Not as effective as chemical pest control methods

Medical Significance

When it comes to health concerns, daddy long-legs spiders should not be a cause for alarm. Contrary to some myths, they are not venomous like black widow spiders or brown recluse spiders.

According to arachnologist Rick Vetter, a retired research associate in entomology at the University of California, Riverside, daddy long-leg spiders lack the venom glands and fangs required to inject venom.

Comparison Table:

Conclusion

In summary, daddy long legs are often mistakenly considered spiders, but they are actually part of the arachnid family. They are more closely related to scorpions and fall under the order Opiliones.

Unlike spiders, they have only one body segment, one pair of eyes, and no fangs or venom glands. They are known for their long legs and the ability to break them and escape predators.

While discussing the topic of daddy’s long legs, it’s important to remember the differences and similarities between them and spiders.

By keeping in mind the information presented in this article, you can confidently speak about daddy long legs and their unique features.