The term “daddy long legs” often causes confusion, as it refers to three distinct arthropods: cellar spiders, harvestmen, and crane flies. Understanding their differences is key to appreciating their unique characteristics, including lifespans. This article clarifies the identities and lifespans of these commonly mistaken long-legged creatures.
Lifespan of “Daddy Long Legs”
The lifespan of creatures known as “daddy long legs” varies significantly by type. Cellar spiders (Pholcidae family) typically live for two to three years after reaching maturity, a process that takes roughly one year. This allows them an extended period for reproduction and survival.
Harvestmen (Opiliones), which are arachnids but not spiders, generally have a much shorter adult lifespan. Most species live for approximately one year, often ending with the first frost.
Crane flies (Tipulidae), which are insects, have the shortest adult lifespan. Adults typically survive for only a few days to a couple of weeks, primarily for mating and reproduction. Their larval stage can be much longer, ranging from several weeks to over a year, sometimes including overwintering.
Identifying the “Daddy Long Legs”
Cellar spiders are true spiders with two distinct body segments: a cephalothorax and an abdomen. They typically have eight eyes, though some species may have six, and construct messy, irregular webs where they often hang upside down. Their legs are notably long and slender.
Harvestmen, while arachnids, are not spiders. Their distinguishing feature is a single, fused, oval-shaped body segment, meaning they lack the distinct “waist” of true spiders. They generally have eight long legs and a unique pair of eyes on a raised ocularium. Unlike spiders, harvestmen do not produce silk or webs.
Crane flies are insects, belonging to the same order as mosquitoes. They feature a slender body with one pair of wings and long, delicate legs. A key identifying characteristic is a V-shaped suture visible on the upper side of their thorax. Despite their resemblance to oversized mosquitoes, they are harmless and do not bite.
Habitat and Lifestyle
Cellar spiders thrive in dark, quiet, and damp environments, found in basements, cellars, garages, caves, and other sheltered crevices. They build tangled, irregular webs, which are not sticky, to capture prey. These spiders are sensitive to vibrations, using their webs to detect and ensnare insects and other spiders.
Harvestmen prefer humid outdoor settings, residing under leaves, logs, rocks, or in gardens, forests, and caves. They are primarily scavengers, consuming soft-bodied insects, dead arthropods, plant material, and fungi. Their foraging is mostly nocturnal.
Crane flies, particularly in their larval stage, are found in moist soil, decaying vegetation, and aquatic environments. Adult crane flies are typically found near these damp areas. Most adults do not feed or only consume nectar, as their primary function is to reproduce.
Common Myths and Facts
Many misconceptions surround “daddy long legs” concerning their potential danger. A myth claims cellar spiders possess potent venom but cannot bite humans due to short fangs. In reality, their venom is mild and generally harmless to humans. They can bite, though occurrences are rare and usually result in only a minor, short-lived stinging or burning sensation.
Harvestmen are not true spiders; they lack venom glands and the ability to spin silk or webs. Crane flies, often mistaken for large mosquitoes, are harmless to humans. They do not bite or sting, and their mouthparts are not designed for piercing skin.