A common question is whether “daddy long legs” can fly. This query often leads to confusion because the term refers to multiple distinct creatures, each with different biological characteristics. Understanding these differences is key to answering the flight question.
Unpacking “Daddy Long Legs”
The ambiguity of the term “daddy long legs” arises from its informal application to three different arthropods. Each belongs to a separate biological classification with unique features, and distinguishing them provides clarity.
Harvestmen (Opiliones) are arachnids, but not true spiders. They have a single, fused body segment, appearing as one oval structure, unlike the two distinct segments of spiders. Harvestmen have eight long legs, with the front pair often used for sensing their environment.
Cellar spiders (Pholcidae) are true spiders. They have two distinct body segments (a cephalothorax and an abdomen) and eight long, thin, delicate legs. These spiders often appear frail and create loose, irregular webs.
Crane flies (Tipulidae) are true insects. They are recognizable by their long, slender bodies, long legs, and two wings, often resembling an oversized mosquito. Crane flies are part of the order Diptera, which includes all flies.
The Flight Question Answered
The flight capability of each creature directly relates to its biological classification and whether it can achieve aerial locomotion.
Harvestmen cannot fly. As arachnids, they lack wings entirely. Their movement is restricted to walking or running on surfaces.
Cellar spiders also cannot fly. They are true spiders and, like harvestmen, do not possess wings. While some spiders engage in ballooning, using silk to catch air currents for dispersal, this is not considered true flight.
Crane flies, on the other hand, can fly. As true insects, they are equipped with two functional wings. Their long legs and slender bodies aid their movement, though their flight can sometimes appear wobbly or erratic.
Beyond Flight: Other Common Traits and Misconceptions
Beyond flight, each “daddy long legs” creature exhibits distinct biological characteristics and is often the subject of various misconceptions. Understanding these traits provides further insight into their roles in their environments.
Harvestmen are primarily omnivores, consuming small insects, decaying plant and animal matter, fungi, and sometimes bird droppings. They do not possess venom glands and cannot bite humans in a harmful way, often mistakenly thought to be highly venomous. When threatened, harvestmen may release foul-smelling secretions as a defense mechanism.
Cellar spiders are predatory, using their messy, irregular webs to capture insects like mosquitoes, gnats, and flies. They also prey on other spiders, including larger species. While they possess venom, their fangs are generally too small to cause a medically significant bite to humans, dispelling the myth that they are highly venomous yet unable to pierce skin. Cellar spiders often hang upside down in their webs and may vibrate rapidly when disturbed.
Crane flies are harmless to humans and do not bite or sting. Adult crane flies typically have a short lifespan (a few days to a couple of weeks), and many species do not feed as adults or may consume nectar. Their larvae, known as leatherjackets, live in moist soil and feed on decaying organic matter or plant roots. Crane flies play a role in ecosystems as a food source for other animals like birds and spiders.