need info on harvestman habits (mating)

[thes3raph1m]

ok so firstly i just need to confirm that i found harvestmen (phalangium opilio i think) same as standard harvestmen we see everywhere but with huge backend, like an avocado (only smaller and spider like lol) about 10-15mm body length

hanging around with deffo normal harvestmen, in a corner, by a doorway, the steps lead down (one step) to underbush enviro, 4 or 5 visible spiders, 2 large body 3 smaller ones, obvious others in undergrowth.

seem to be "playing" and i use the term loosely, perhaps mating

its now 1am

is this normal for this species (there are large numbers... not for long tho, of tegenaria sp in the building as well so food supply is there) i just want to confirm... no sphotos (unless someone comes on tongiht and requests them... i may be convinced to trudge back down the 3 flights of stairs plus camera to snap a few)

[Gerel]

Hi,

there's a thread you may find helpful here,

Opiliones help.

regards

Steve

[Geoff F]

Your description sounds rather spider like to me so I'm afraid that without a photo we probably won't get very far with this question. However, see if this helps first:

To me Phalangium opilio is the 'standard' harvestman and the base line from which I tend to judge others. Upto 10 mm body length for a female; body shape similar to the average harvestman but with long legs. Body colour is generally brownish often with a darker middle stripe. There are short spines on the femora but you need a reasonable close up photo to see this.

Some harvestmen can gather in groups but the reasons for this are rather varied and uncertain.

Mating is direct and couples stand face to face for this. Normally there is little courtship.

Unless this answers your question, I think a photo will be needed.

[Action_Man]

The description "with huge backend", could be a female Dicranopalpus ramosus.

I dont think what you saw was a group of Spider`s, they dont congregate together like Opiliones, Spiders are on the whole solitary animals, unlike Opiliones, who are quite often found in large groups, known as a Lek`s ...