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Harvestman (Phalangium opilio) male

Harvestman (Phalangium opilio) ©Paul Richards

Common harvestman

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The common harvestman is familiar to us as the large, spindly spider-like creature that frequents gardens and houses. It predates on smaller invertebrates which it catches using hooks on the ends of its legs.

Scientific name

Phalangium opilio

When to see

January to December

Top facts

Category

Stats

Body length: up to 8mm
Leg span: up to 5cm
Common.

About

The common harvestman is familiar to us as the long-legged, small-bodied spider-like creature that frequents gardens and houses. Harvestmen are a common and widespread group of long-legged invertebrates and about 25 species live in the UK. They are arachnids, related to spiders and scorpions. Many are predators, eating smaller invertebrates which they catch using hooks at the ends of their legs. However, some species are omnivorous and will scavenge anything they can find, from fruit to fungi. Harvestmen can be found in leaf litter, among foliage and in grass in a wide variety of habitats.

What to look for

As a group, harvestmen are easy to identify: they have eight very long, spindly legs and a small, round body without a 'waist'. Telling the different species apart is much more difficult. The common harvestman is reddish-brown on top and white below; females are larger than males. The fangs are quite prominent.

Where to find

Widespread.

Did you know?

Unlike spiders, harvestmen do not spin silk and do not produce venom. If they lose a leg, they do not regrow it like other arachnids.