The common name “daddy long legs” often leads to confusion regarding the number of legs these creatures possess. This widespread term refers to several distinct arthropods, creating ambiguity about their classification and physical traits. Understanding these organisms is key to resolving the confusion surrounding their leg count and other characteristics.
Unpacking the Term “Daddy Long Legs”
The term “daddy long legs” applies to three distinct arthropods, contributing to widespread confusion. One group is harvestmen (order Opiliones), which are arachnids but not true spiders. Another is the cellar spider (family Pholcidae), which is a true spider. Finally, the name can refer to crane flies (family Tipulidae), insects often mistaken for large mosquitoes due to their appearance.
Counting Their Legs
The number of legs varies among creatures known as “daddy long legs.” Harvestmen, as arachnids, possess eight legs, all attached to their single, fused body segment. Cellar spiders, being true spiders, also have eight notably long, thin legs. In contrast, crane flies, which are insects, have six legs. This difference in leg count stems from their distinct biological classifications as either arachnids or insects.
Beyond Legs: Other Key Characteristics
Each “daddy long legs” type exhibits unique characteristics. Harvestmen are distinguished from true spiders because their two main body segments are fused into a single, oval unit, lacking a distinct “waist.” They are non-venomous, do not produce silk or build webs, and are omnivores, feeding on small invertebrates, decaying plant material, and fungi.
Cellar spiders, as true spiders, have two distinct body segments: a cephalothorax and an abdomen. They build loose, irregular webs, often found in corners of homes. While they possess venom glands and fangs, their venom is mild and not dangerous to humans. Cellar spiders also have a unique defense mechanism, vibrating rapidly in their webs when disturbed, which makes them appear as a blur to potential predators.
Crane flies are harmless insects and do not bite or sting. Many adult crane fly species do not even possess functional mouthparts and therefore do not feed, relying on energy reserves from their larval stage. They are frequently confused with large mosquitoes due to their long legs and slender bodies, but unlike mosquitoes, they do not consume blood.