Wikijunior:Bugs/Harvestman (Daddy Longlegs)
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[edit] What does it look like?
The harvestman has eight long and skinny legs and a compact egg-shaped body. They are usually brown, but some species are brightly colored.
[edit] Where does it live?
The harvestman can be found throughout the world.
[edit] What does it eat?
It is omnivorous and eats small bugs, plant material, and fungus.
[edit] How does it defend itself?
The harvestman's legs continue to twitch even after they have been separated from the body. This is thought to be distracting to predators. This arachnid is completely harmless to humans.
[edit] What stages of metamorphosis does it go through?
Harvestmen hatch from eggs, but they do not metamorphose.
[edit] What special behavior does it exhibit?
They are mostly nocturnal exempting the diurnal examples, which can be quite colourful. Strong sexual dimorphism is exhibited in some species, males generally being smaller with longer legs and more heavily pigmented.
Some harvestmen seem to display an evolutionary relationship with certain species of pseudoscorpion, the latter clinging to one of the former's legs as a means of transportation and disperal. Whether or not the harvestman gleans any benefit from this behaviour is doubtful, although it is conceivable that the actions of the pseudoscorpion may serve to disloge mites congregating around the joints of the legs.
