Phalangids, aka Daddy Long Legs

Anatomy of a harvestman spider.

Sometimes it's better not to look at something too closely.  That's the feeling I sometimes get when examining the photos I take using my macro equipment.  The phalangid above is a good example.

Although it's hard to see from the dorsal image, the lateral photo clearly depicts the phalangid's eye.  Harvestmen have a single pair of eyes which sets them apart from spiders that usually have eight.  What spiders and phalangids have in common though are eight legs and mouthparts called chelicerae.  You can't see the chelicera in my above photo, although the palps are clearly visible.  Palps are external mouth parts that facilitate the manipulation of food. 

So, what do harvestmen eat?  That is very dependent upon the species, but the familiar phalangid are opportunistic feeders taking detritus, scavenging dead organisms, and taking small creatures such as mites.  They possess no venom, cannot make silk, and are in no way dangerous to people.  In fact, they are generally considered helpful as they help remove dead and decaying material and feed on tiny pests.

Although the thought of having a phalangid crawling on you may give you the willies, the truth is there are few arachnids that are more benevolent.  And to think that I have been witness to someone pulling the legs off one.  Shameful behaviour, and I am glad it wasn't me.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com