The question of what happens when a “Daddy Long Legs” is eaten stems from the persistent, though untrue, myth of its potent, deadly venom. The reality is far less dramatic, but the biological outcome depends on which of the three very different arthropods bearing the common name is ingested. Swallowing any of these small creatures is generally not medically significant; the true risks lie in the unseen contaminants they carry from their environment.
The Identity Crisis: Clarifying “Daddy Long Legs”
The term “Daddy Long Legs” lacks scientific precision and is used to describe three distinct animals across different regions, only one of which is a true spider. Understanding the biology of each is necessary to assess the consequence of swallowing one.
The first group is the Harvestmen, classified in the order Opiliones, are arachnids but not true spiders. Harvestmen have a single, fused body segment, and they notably lack both venom glands and fangs. They possess small chewing mouthparts, which they use to consume detritus, small insects, and fungi. When disturbed, Harvestmen may release a foul-smelling chemical mixture.
The second animal commonly called “Daddy Long Legs” is the Cellar Spider, which belongs to the family Pholcidae and is a true spider. Like all spiders, the Cellar Spider does produce venom and possesses fangs. However, the widely circulated myth that its venom is potent but its fangs are too short to bite humans is false. While the fangs are small, the venom is medically insignificant to humans.
The third creature is the Crane Fly, an insect from the family Tipulidae, which is often mistaken for a giant mosquito. Crane Flies are entirely harmless and non-venomous. Many species of adult Crane Flies have either very weak or no functional mouthparts at all, existing only long enough to mate and lay eggs.
Immediate Biological Response to Ingestion
Once swallowed, the biological effects of any “Daddy Long Legs” are governed by the human digestive system, which is highly efficient at breaking down organic material. The low pH environment of the stomach, with its strong hydrochloric acid, immediately begins to neutralize any organic toxins.
Any protein-based venom, such as that produced by the Cellar Spider, would be rapidly denatured and broken down by the stomach acid and digestive enzymes. Venom is a complex mixture of proteins and enzymes that must be injected into tissues or the bloodstream to be effective. Once ingested, these components are digested just like the proteins in meat, rendering them harmless.
A more challenging aspect of digestion is the creature’s exoskeleton, which is composed primarily of chitin, a tough polysaccharide fiber. Humans produce an enzyme called acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) in the stomach, which can break down chitin. For a single, small arthropod, the chitin is likely to be partially digested and the remainder will simply be passed through the digestive tract like other indigestible fibers.
Potential Health Concerns from Contamination
The most significant health concerns associated with eating any wild arthropod are not related to its inherent toxicity but rather to the contaminants it may be carrying. These creatures live in environments like basements, soil, and damp corners, which are breeding grounds for various pathogens.
The surface of the arthropod can harbor harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, acquired from the environment. These bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, leading to foodborne illness. Even if the creature is killed by stomach acid, the toxins produced by these bacteria may not be neutralized and can still cause sickness.
Another serious risk is the potential for the arthropod to act as an intermediate host for parasites. Consuming an uncleaned wild arthropod may lead to the ingestion of parasite eggs or larvae, such as nematodes or tapeworms.
Finally, there is a risk of chemical contamination if the animal has been exposed to pesticides or household chemicals. Arthropods living indoors or near agricultural areas may have residues of insecticides on their bodies. Since the creature is ingested whole, concentrated chemical exposure could result in secondary poisoning.