eastern harvestman

Eastern harvestman is a common, large, easily recognized harvestman. It occurs in the United States and southern Canada from the east coast to the Great Plains. In Minnesota it is common in the wooded eastern region, uncommon in the western prairie region.

Males have a body length of 3⁄16″ to ¼″ (5 to 7 mm). Females are larger, with a body length of ¼″ to 5⁄16″ (7 to 8.5 mm).

The body is soft, compact, oval, and golden yellow to dark reddish-brown. There are often many light yellow and black markings on the sides. On the upper side there is a large, distinct, dark figure. In summer the figure contrasts sharply with the lighter background. As the season progresses both sexes become progressively darker. By mid-fall they can be almost black. The upper side of the body is mostly unarmed. The front part of the body (carapace) does not have a protuberance on the front margin. The abdomen has ten segments. It is long and pointed at the end. The under side (ventner) of the female is pale.

There are two simple eyes and no compound eyes. Each eye is mounted atop a small, rounded protuberance (tubercle). The pair of segmented, finger-like, sensory appendages (palps) attached to the mouth are very long on the male. The “knees” of the palps extend well above the optical tubercle. On the female the palps are shorter. The last segment of the palp (tarsus) is either blackish or light yellow.

The legs are extremely long and slender. The leg length is variable. Each leg consists of a coxa, trochanter, femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus and claw. The trochanter and the base of the femur are dark brown to black, which contrasts sharply with the pale coxa. The patella is short and dark. There is also a dark band at the outer end of the tibia. On the female the legs are light brown with contrasting dark rings. On the male the legs are dark brown and less contrasting.

Three subspecies have been described based on leg length and color of the tarsus of the palp.

Female Body Length: ¼″ to 5⁄16″ (7 to 8.5 mm)

Male Body Length: 3⁄16″ to ¼″ (5 to 7 mm)

Legspan: Variable

Forests, woodlands, parks, and yards.

Juveniles appear in June. Adults are seen from July until the first frost in the fall.

Dead insects and plant matter.

Sources

7, 24, 29, 30, 82.

Common

With so many long legs, mating seems complicated.

Close views of female Harvestman (Leiobunum vittatum)
Nature in Motion

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Slinger, Wisconsin