Originally posted by NordlysI believe that the house spider version of the family is the most poisonous spider in the world, but can't bite humans. I once saw one bite a beetle in Chile (same spider though as I see in Ireland), and the beetle went nuts for a few seconds and then died.
From http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Cranefly :
"The crane flies are a family (Tipulidae) of insects resembling giant mosquitoes. Like the mosquito, they are in the order Diptera (flies). They are sometimes called mosquito eaters, mosquito hawks, or skeeter eaters. They are also one of three unrelated arthropods named Daddy long-legs. The other ...[text shortened]... ar, but always search for human blood)."
How comforting to know that they do bite humans. 😉
D
When I was young, one time over one thousand daddy long-legs (the spidery things) crawled into the tent I was in, over me in my sleeping bag and out the other side. Like a little stampede.
How do I know there was over a thousand?
I used to be able to count real fast; it was one reason I got sent to the place with the electrodes and stuff.
Originally posted by SiskinThree actually, according to Wikipedia: also the cellar spider (Pholcidae family)
Daddy long legs is used in various places to describe two different types of creature - the crane fly (an insect, with 6 legs) and the harvestman (an arachnid, with 8 legs), all very confusing!