Many people encounter long-legged creatures in their homes and gardens, often called “daddy long legs.” This common name frequently leads to misconceptions about their potential danger. This article clarifies the truth about “daddy long legs,” offering insights into their biology and behavior to address common misunderstandings.
Dispelling the Danger Myth
The widespread belief that “daddy long legs” possess potent venom but fangs too short to bite humans is a persistent myth without scientific basis. These creatures are not dangerous to humans. For harvestmen, commonly called “daddy long legs,” there is no venom at all; they lack venom-producing glands and fangs.
Crane flies, another creature known by this name, also have no venom and cannot bite humans. Cellar spiders, which are true spiders also called “daddy long legs,” do produce venom, like nearly all spiders. However, their venom is relatively mild and not potent enough to harm humans. While cellar spiders possess fangs and can pierce human skin, bites are rare and typically result in no significant reaction beyond a minor, short-lived stinging sensation.
Identifying “Daddy Long Legs”
The term “daddy long legs” is a common name that causes confusion because it refers to at least three distinct types of creatures. One group includes harvestmen, which are arachnids belonging to the order Opiliones. Unlike spiders, harvestmen have a fused, oval-shaped body that appears as a single segment, rather than the two distinct body segments found in spiders. They also lack silk glands and do not spin webs.
Another creature known as “daddy long legs” is the cellar spider, part of the spider family Pholcidae. These are true spiders with two body segments, long, thin legs, and they construct loose, irregular webs, often found in damp areas like basements and cellars.
Finally, crane flies (Tipulidae) are insects, not arachnids, that are also called “daddy long legs.” These resemble large mosquitoes with slender bodies, long legs, and wings.
Their Harmless Nature and Habits
Harvestmen are primarily scavengers and omnivores, consuming a varied diet that includes small arthropods, decaying plant and animal matter, fungi, and even bird droppings. They use their chelicerae, or jaw-like mouthparts, to ingest solid food particles. These creatures are beneficial in ecosystems by aiding in decomposition and controlling pest populations. When disturbed, harvestmen may release a defensive, foul-smelling fluid, or vibrate their bodies rapidly to deter predators.
Cellar spiders are predatory and feed on various insects and other spiders, including mosquitoes, gnats, moths, and flies. They are known to capture prey much larger than themselves by quickly wrapping them in silk. Cellar spiders are often considered beneficial in homes due to their role in controlling insect populations. When threatened, they rapidly vibrate their webs, making themselves appear blurry to potential predators.
Crane flies, in their adult stage, generally do not feed at all, or they consume only nectar or water. They have a very short lifespan, typically lasting only a few days. The larvae of crane flies, sometimes called “leatherjackets,” feed on decaying organic matter, plant roots, and sometimes small aquatic insects, playing a role in nutrient cycling. These insects are entirely harmless to humans and do not bite or transmit diseases.