Harvestman ID please

Mark3 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 06:01 PM

Hi, i noticed this big guy in the garden and was wondering if someone could help me with an ID? It has to be the biggest and most colourful harvestman i have ever seen

Cheers
Mark

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 07:02 PM

Just going by the very long black legs and small rather circular body I would saw Leiobunum rotundum male. But you do have a well coloured specimen there.

L. blackwalli is very similar and needs a good close up of the 'nose and eye' area to separate the species. Generally speaking (which is always dangerous) L. rotundum is the more common, in most areas.

But see if Gordon has any other suggestions.

Action_Man · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 07:45 PM

The main area that differentiates the two is the Ocular turret, L. blackwalli has lighter outer edges and a dark band down the center (a black wall), L . rotundum has the opposite, also L. blackwalli`s legs are slightly smaller than L . rotundum.

So looking at size of this, in relation the bricks, and the dark eyes, i would say its a male L. rotundum

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Mark3 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 05:14 PM

Thanks guys. Sorry about the late reply, i dont get much time for wab anymore. After reading your descriptions and looking at some photos, i would say your both right with L. rotundum

Thanks again

Mark