zay
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by zay on Dec 7, 2020 5:34:02 GMT -8
Location - India (State of Odisha to be precise, rural) There's this black insect I found. I have encountered them before, these 6-legged insect has a spider-like appearance to it which I presume to be camouflage. They don't seem to have any aggressive behavior, a distinguishable spinneret or exposed fangs or mouth parts. But, This insect seems to have developed a spike on the back, a single tall spike as a defensive measure. This most likely isn't a predatory insect and uses the camouflage and the defensive spike to protect itself. But it seems to share slight behavior with spiders, like staying flat and still on the wall. But it doesn't react as a spider. Image in link The insect ![]()  ![]() |
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Post by Paul K on Dec 7, 2020 7:28:44 GMT -8
It is daddy long legs ( order Opiliones ) which is missing two legs and it’s not an insect.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 7, 2020 7:48:59 GMT -8
In the UK "daddy long legs" is the common name for a crane fly (family Tipulidae).
Adam.
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Post by Paul K on Dec 7, 2020 8:13:26 GMT -8
In the UK "daddy long legs" is the common name for a crane fly (family Tipulidae). Adam. Indeed, more precise common name that we should refer to is: harvestman. This is another example how important it is to use Latin names in nomenclature. |
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zay
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by zay on Dec 7, 2020 9:18:28 GMT -8
Yes I found out about Opiliones, their behaviour (autotomy, which explained it's missing appendages), found out 4 species are endangered in Brazil, all of them are cell-dwelling. And that these are ancient arachnids, existing since 410 million years ago. Yes, it's known mainly as Harvestmen (also known as shepherd spiders), as "Daddy Longlegs" are also commonly used to refer to Cellar Spiders (family Pholcidae) and a Crane fly which the family is mentioned. Found out they lack venom glands and silk glands, which explained no visible spinneret and their chelicerae not being fangs but grasping claws. It sucks that these are scientifically neglected,
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Malo
Junior Member
Posts: 48
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Post by Malo on Dec 12, 2020 18:24:16 GMT -8
Yes I found out about Opiliones, their behaviour (autotomy, which explained it's missing appendages), found out 4 species are endangered in Brazil, all of them are cell-dwelling. And that these are ancient arachnids, existing since 410 million years ago. Yes, it's known mainly as Harvestmen (also known as shepherd spiders), as "Daddy Longlegs" are also commonly used to refer to Cellar Spiders (family Pholcidae) and a Crane fly which the family is mentioned. Found out they lack venom glands and silk glands, which explained no visible spinneret and their chelicerae not being fangs but grasping claws. It sucks that these are scientifically neglected, would you happen to know the names of those endangered species? I live in Brazil and i see Harvestmen everywhere |
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