Harvestman

[JRsbugs]

Hi,

This was inside on the 12th December. I got three angles but it was trying to hide in the tassles of the rug, and with a hot fire nearby I took it outside for safety. It might have come inside with a bag of sticks for lighting a fire, so could have been in the garage.

Small, about 3mm body length. Not the best pics due to poor lighting but hoping it's enough. Note the hairy palps, looks to have 7 denticules around the eyes, one hidden over the back edge which I think can just be seen on the poor side view.

Opilio parietinus seems to fit but I don't know that much about them, and size may be too small as it looks to be mature.

Janet

[Action_Man]

To me it looks like a typical male Rilaena triangularis, although i have never seen one in the flesh, it fits the description nicely ...

[Geoff F]

I think this is probably going to be one for Gordon to consider.

A juvenile O. parietinus is quite possible but O. saxatilis and Lophopilio palpinalis are also possible and a better size match for adults.

It does seem a bit late for an adult, but not impossible.

The ocularium however does look more like O. parietinus. The 2nd leg should be long; around 35 to 55 mm for an adult.

What I'm not sure about is that 'spot on it's nose'. Is that just a colour spot or a trident assembly? This could well be the deciding factor here.

I will have a think about one of the Oligolophus species but I suspect that the 2nd leg is too long.

ps. So Gordon was typing his reply at exactly the same time. That is a possible answer but would this be late for an adult?

[Action_Man]

Yes its late for that and several other species, but this one does look like and aged Rilaena triangularis, but i have seen adults of other types that arent supposed to survive this long into Autumn and Winter.

I`ll have another look and also ask Arp what he thinks, if i can get hold of him that is ...

[Geoff F]

Having checked through the ID keys again. One thing which had concerned me was the width of the ocularium which admittedly does fit better with Rilaena triangularis. Second leg 28 to 38 mm.

[JRsbugs]

Thanks Gordon and Geoff for the input.

I see the likeness to Rilaena triangularis, the big eyes are a giveaway. The colour is darker than suggested, and legs have mottled colour which I didn't see in the description though, unless I have missed something.

The mild autumn weather could be the reason they are about now, I got pics of another on the 6th December next to my south wall. Not sure what it is yet but I think it's Paroligolophus agrestis.

[Action_Man]

Regarding O. parietinus, you will know if you ever find one, they are really distinctive, there body being covered in tiny spines, as there legs are also, the oculuar tubercle is covered in sharp spines also, as seen in the pic, and there legs are extremely long, even longer than L. rotundum.

There also quite rare, last year i have only heard of two or three sightings ...

[JRsbugs]

Oh yes, it's a very spiny creature! I will be on the look out for one.

I have found I had a few Leiobunum blackwalli, more than L. rotundum it seems. There was a male and female around on the same day in late October, other pics from late August, September and November. L. rotundum I saw in July and early August.

I found some small muddy looking nests on the west wall low down with small stones and foliage holding them together, had wondered if they belonged to Harvestmen. I posted pics some time ago on the eggs, larva etc. forum but got no reply, do they make this type of nest?

I'll have to upload some more pics soon.

[Action_Man]

They dont make nests no, they bury there eggs in the damp soil, you would need a strong microscope to see them, as there about the size of a pin head.

I have a egg-laying/spawning area in my garden, its at the base of a north facing wall, and under some strips of wood that i place there at a slight angle ...

[Action_Man]

I think this particular individual has been confirmed as a juvenile Rilaena triangularis ...