Are Daddy Longlegs Venomous?

There are plenty of myths and misunderstandings about this leggy arachnid. To begin with, when people talk about daddy longlegs, depending on where they live, they may be referring to one of three different creatures. Here, we’re delving into the information on long-legged harvestmen. These are arachnids that look like spiders, but aren’t. You’ve probably seen the ground-dwelling harvestmen crawling around outdoors, especially in forested areas. Are daddy longlegs harmless or venomous? Let’s find out.

What is a Daddy Longleg?

First, let’s take a quick look at the three creatures people may be referring to when they say “daddy longlegs.” Most likely, when you hear the term, it is referring to harvestmen. Harvestmen are arachnids, but not spiders. They are in the order Opiliones, and there are well over 6,600 different species in the world.

Sometimes cellar spiders in the family Pholcidae are also called “harvestmen.” Like harvestmen, cellar spiders have very long, spindly legs. However, unlike harvestmen, cellar spiders are true spiders. Cellar spiders are harmless to humans. Their venom is not strong enough to be medically significant.

To make it even more confusing, some people refer to crane flies as daddy longlegs. Crane flies are also called mosquito eaters. These are not arachnids at all, but are insects belonging to the family Tipulidae. Crane flies are harmless flying insects and don’t bite or sting.

Are Daddy Longlegs (Harvestmen) Venomous?

No, harvestmen are not venomous. You may have heard conflicting information about whether or not they are venomous. One myth about daddy longlegs is that they are highly venomous, but their fangs are too short to reach a person’s skin when they bite. This is completely false. Daddy longlegs don’t possess venom glands, and their mouthparts are too small to bite a person.

If you need to relocate a daddy longleg, they won’t hurt you if you pick them up. However, they do have delicate bodies, and it’s best to gather them in a small cup covered with paper to move them. They also sometimes release a foul-smelling chemical from their scent glands as a defense.

How Are Harvestmen Different From Spiders?

Harvestmen and spiders look so similar that it’s unsurprising many people think harvestmen are spiders. But they differ in many ways.

• Venom: Most spiders are venomous, but harvestmen do not have fangs or venom glands.
• Eyes: Most spiders have eight eyes; harvestmen have only two.
• Silk: Spiders spin webs of silk; harvestmen do not produce silk.
• Body: Spiders have two distinct body segments, while harvestmen’s segments are fused together.
• Behavior: Most spiders are solitary, but some species of harvestmen will cluster together.

Where Can You Find Harvestmen?

Harvestmen can be found all around the world. Unlike cellar spiders that are often found indoors, harvestmen mainly live outside. They can be found from forests to residential neighborhoods, where they contribute to pest control. They are highly susceptible to dehydration and prefer moist environments like wet leaf litter or dark caves. You may find them hiding under rocks or under the bark of trees. When it’s dry or cold, some species cluster together to help conserve moisture and warmth.

What Do Harvestmen Eat?

Harvestmen are opportunistic feeders. They will scavenge on dead insects and decaying plant matter. However, they will also hunt live insects such as aphids, mites, and caterpillars. They don’t have fangs to kill their prey; instead, they use special mouthparts to hold onto their food as they eat.

What Eats Harvestmen?

Harvestmen have many predators, but they are not without their defenses. As we mentioned, harvestmen release a foul-smelling odor when threatened. They also may play dead, and can even release a leg, which will continue to twitch to distract their predators. Harvestmen are hunted by birds, spiders, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.

Common Daddy Longleg Myths Debunked

The biggest misconception about daddy longlegs (harvestmen) is that they are the most venomous spider on earth, but their fangs are too short to bite humans. As we’ve learned, daddy longlegs are not spiders, don’t have fangs, and don’t have venom glands.

Aside from current myths, there have been various past superstitions surrounding daddy longlegs. One tale told that when a harvestman lost a leg, the leg would point to lost cattle. Another story was that killing a daddy longleg would mean it would rain the next day. And finally, some regard daddy longlegs as symbols of protection and good luck.