The Truth About Daddy-Longlegs

[Pareeeee]

I was bored so I decided to write an article about Daddy-Long-Legs. Yes, these are the types of things I do when bored.


The Truth about Daddy-Longlegs

When you think "Daddy-Longlegs", the first thing you probably think of is a Harvestman (pictured below).
Actually, there are three creatures which people tend to call "Daddy-Longlegs", none of which are related to each other.

The Harvestman is not, however, a spider as most people think. They are Opiliones; types of arachnids more closely related to mites and scorpions than that of spiders. One main way of telling them apart from spiders is that the two main body-sections (cephalathorax and abdomen) are fused together as one. These creatures hunt for their food and do not spin webs as spiders do. Harvestmen only have two eyes (if any, depending on the species) instead of eight, and do not have fangs. Their mouthparts look like tiny claws, and they eat rather than drink their prey.
Harvestmen do not have venom glands and are completely harmless to humans.


The second "Daddy-Longlegs" is the Cellar Spider (Pictured below)

This common household dweller is a true spider. Some people consider it a pest, while others find that the Daddy-Longlegs is an asset in the home. In certain regions it is known to prey on dangerous species such as the Redback (closely related to the Black-Widow) and Hobo Spider.

Note that it has a smaller body in comparison to the Harvestman, with two distinctly separate sections (again cephalathorax and abdomen). The Cellar Spider has a slightly transparent body and legs. Some species have eight eyes while others have six. These spiders spin messy webs to catch their prey.

Urban Legend states that the Daddy-Longlegs Spider has one of the most venomous bites in the world but cannot puncture human skin with its tiny fangs. This has been proven to be a myth. The Discovery Channel's television show "Mythbusters" was the first to prove that this spider, in fact, is not as dangerous as people believe. After injecting the venom into a mouse which suffered no harm, host Adam Savage allowed the spider to bite him, proving the first half of the myth wrong - the Daddy-Longlegs' fangs can break human skin. After only suffering a "short-lived burning sensation" they concluded that the latter part of the myth was also "busted". Apparently, harm to a human being by this spider species has never been reported. Other research also shows that the effects of Cellar Spider venom is weak on insects as well.


The third and final "Daddy-Longlegs" is actually an insect and is known as the Crane Fly. (Pictured below)

These are large, scary looking flies which resemble giant mosquitos. This "Daddy-Longlegs" species however is harmless, and does not bite humans. Many adult crane flies do not eat at all, while some feed on nectar. Most species, once reaching adulthood, only live long enough to mate and die. The grubs (larvae) eat roots of plants and can cause considerable damage in large numbers. The crane fly has relatively weak wings and is not an adept flyer.

The Harvestman, the Cellar Spider and the Crane Fly. All three of these are misunderstood, harmless creatures which we call "Daddy-Longlegs".