Species: Harvestman - unnamed 1 (Opilio canestrinii)
Family: Harvestmen (PHALANGIIDAE)
Category: Arachnids
Location: Widespread
A. Arachnids
More extensive information on arachnids can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Harvestmen (PHALANGIIDAE)
The Phalangiidae are a family of harvestmen (sometimes known as harvesters or daddy longlegs). They are arachnids. Wikipedia says that as of April 2017, there were over 6,650 species of harvestmen worldwide, with a possible total in excess of 10,000. They exist on all continents except Antarctica, and have been found in the fossil record dating back 400 million years.
Many harvestmen are omnivores that eat plant material and other insects. Many are scavengers. As carnivores, they ambush their prey, with their legs being of more use than their eyes.
C. Harvestman - unnamed 1 (Opilio canestrinii)
This species of harvestman has a body length of between 6 and 8 millimetres, with females being the larger. Both sexes have very long legs, which are key to their success as predators, detecting prey better than their relatively dim eyesight can manage. They are found in gardens and around houses from June to December.
This species has rapidly colonized Britain, having been first seen in October 1999 in Essex. It has expanded its range from Italy, Austria and Switzerland.
Images
Harvestman - unnamed 1 (Opilio canestrinii)
This species of harvestman has a body length of between 6 and 8 millimetres, with females being the larger.
These daddy longlegs are found in gardens and around houses from June to December.
Harvestman - unnamed 1 (Opilio canestrinii)
These arachnids have very long legs, detecting prey better than their relatively dim eyesight can manage.
Harvestman - unnamed 1 (Opilio canestrinii)
The Opilio canestrinii harvestman is one of about 25 species of harvestman arachnids on the UK list. This individual is a female.
(Photo credit: Stuart MA Ball.)
