harvestman

Everyday

A small creature with a round body and eight very long, thin legs, related to spiders but not a true spider; also called «daddy longlegs» in North America. tree →

In the lessons

In science and minibeast lessons, harvestmen are arachnids, like spiders and scorpions, but their body is one round blob and they cannot spin silk or make venom. They are common in autumn around harvest time, which gave them their name. Myth: «daddy longlegs are the most venomous creature but their fangs are too short» — this is false. In the UK, «daddy longlegs» usually means a crane fly instead.

Examples

• We found a harvestman under a log. tree →
• A harvestman has eight long legs but no silk. tree →
• Harvestmen are related to spiders. tree →
• The harvestman walked slowly across the garden wall. tree →
• In Canada, people call a harvestman a daddy longlegs. tree →
• Harvestmen are harmless to people. tree →

Note

Plural «harvestmen». «Daddy longlegs» means different creatures in different countries: a harvestman (USA, Canada), a crane fly (UK, Ireland), or a cellar spider (sometimes Australia).

In Jewish tradition

A reaper who cuts the grain, used in pictures of death and of a land being stripped.

Interpretation. Prophets use the harvest as a picture of judgment, but leftover ears also hint that some will remain.

Examples

• Speak: Thus saith the LORD — And the carcasses of men fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, which none gathereth.' (Prophets JER.9.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the standing corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; yea, it shall be as when one gleaneth ears in the valley of Rephaim. (Prophets ISA.17.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural «harvestmen». «Daddy longlegs» means different creatures in different countries: a harvestman (USA, Canada), a crane fly (UK, Ireland), or a cellar spider (sometimes Australia).