Harvestman

The harvestman, often called a 'daddy longlegs', is a familiar arachnid distinguished by its tiny, single oval body balanced on extraordinarily long, thread-like legs. Despite appearances it is not a spider: it has no venom, no fangs and no silk glands, and its body is fused into a single unit.

Harmless to humans, it is a common sight in gardens, hedgerows and outbuildings, especially around late summer and autumn, the 'harvest' season that gives it its name.

Harvestmen are gentle scavengers and opportunistic predators, feeding on tiny invertebrates and decaying organic matter. Lacking venom, they subdue soft prey directly with their jaws.

If grabbed by a leg, a harvestman can shed it to escape; the detached limb may keep twitching to distract the attacker, though unlike many spiders it cannot regrow the lost leg.

Widespread across Europe, Asia and North America