The term “daddy long legs” often raises questions about whether these arachnids belong indoors or out. While frequently found in homes, they are also well-equipped to survive in natural outdoor environments. This article explores the outdoor capabilities of these organisms, detailing their distinct biologies and preferred habitats.
Understanding Daddy Long Legs
The term “daddy long legs” can cause confusion, as it commonly refers to two distinct types of arachnids: harvestmen and cellar spiders. Harvestmen belong to the order Opiliones and are not true spiders. They are characterized by a single, fused body segment, unlike spiders which have two distinct body parts. Harvestmen also possess only one pair of eyes, lack venom glands, and do not produce silk for webs.
In contrast, cellar spiders are true spiders, classified under the family Pholcidae. They have two body segments, a cephalothorax and abdomen, and typically eight eyes. Cellar spiders produce silk to build webs and possess small fangs with venom. Understanding these fundamental differences is important because their outdoor survival strategies vary considerably.
Harvestmen Life Outdoors
Harvestmen are primarily outdoor creatures, adapted to various natural habitats. They thrive in damp, cool, and dark environments, often found under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They also inhabit damp soil, tree trunks, and dense vegetation, preferring shaded areas. Their omnivorous diet, including small insects, decaying plant matter, fungi, and carrion, allows them to scavenge effectively.
Harvestmen are nocturnal, foraging at night and resting in sheltered spots during the day. Some species form large aggregations, particularly near water, to conserve moisture and deter predators. They can also secrete defensive chemicals to make themselves unpalatable. These adaptations allow harvestmen to thrive outdoors, making them common in gardens and wooded areas.
Cellar Spider Life Outdoors
Cellar spiders, while frequently associated with indoor spaces like basements and cellars, can live outdoors in sheltered environments. They build their characteristic loose, irregular webs in dark, damp, and undisturbed locations. Outdoor habitats include caves, rock crevices, under eaves, sheds, garages, and porches. These spiders hang inverted in their webs, lacking adhesive properties, relying on their tangled structure to trap prey.
Cellar spiders are opportunistic predators, capturing various insects like mosquitoes, flies, and ants, and preying on other spiders. They are drawn indoors primarily by stable temperatures and prey availability, and the dark, quiet, humid conditions that mimic their natural outdoor habitats. While they can survive outdoors, human structures provide an appealing alternative.
Daddy Long Legs in Our Environment
Both harvestmen and cellar spiders play a role in outdoor ecosystems. Harvestmen contribute as scavengers and predators, controlling small insect populations and aiding organic matter decomposition. Their presence in gardens can be beneficial, as they consume pests like aphids.
Cellar spiders serve as natural pest control agents, preying on a wide range of insects and other arachnids. They help maintain ecological balance by regulating invertebrate populations. Both types of “daddy long legs” are generally harmless to humans and are common in both natural and human-modified outdoor environments, including yards and gardens.