Harvestman I.D. required

[2dogs2000]

I put this in another post of assorted insects and no-one came up with an i.d. so I thought I would try in a thread of its own.



It's not the best of pictures and unfortunately it was the only one I got.

[Meta menardi]

Although there are only a few species of Opilione found in this country, they are quite difficult to ID with confidence, I suspect that this photo does not have enough info to get very far, hope someone else can help.

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Although there are only a few species of Opilione found in this country, they are quite difficult to ID with confidence, I suspect that this photo does not have enough info to get very far, hope someone else can help.

That's what I was thinking too, but you don't know 'til you ask.

[Geoff F]

A close up of the body area would help but as a general guess, those very long legs and distinctive dark 'saddle' markings on the back do suggest Phalangium opilio to me.

[2dogs2000]

I have cropped the photo to see if this helps (or not).

[Geoff F]

It still doesn't show any of the very fine details which are necessary for a 100% ID confirmation but that dark brown 'saddle' is correctly shaped and runs virtually the whole length of the upper surface, instead of ending abruptly part way along.

So, subject to correction by a more experienced person, I would still say Phalangium opilio and probably female.

[2dogs2000]

Thank you.