Can daddy long legs sting you?

Answer 1

First of all, there are actually three kinds of critters called daddy longlegs. The common name daddy longlegs is most often used to describe Opiliones, aka harvestmen. Opiliones are arachnids, but not Spiders. They have no venom glands at all, and are absolutely not venomous. The nickname daddy longlegs may also refer to a crane fly, which is a true fly and a member of the order Diptera. Crane flies do not pose a threat, either.

Sometimes, the name daddy longlegs is used for another group of arachnids, the spiders of the family Pholcidae. These spiders are also called cellar spiders.

Cellar spiders do have venom glands. However, there is no scientific evidence whatsoever to confirm that their venom can harm a human being. Not a single documented case exists of a person being bitten by one and having an adverse reaction.

Pholcid spiders do have short fangs, but not any shorter than other spiders that have been known to bite humans. The cellar spider's fangs are similar in structure to those of a brown recluse spider, which we know can and does bite humans. Again, there is no evidence or proof to the claim that their fangs are too short to bite a person.

In fact, the show Mythbusters tackled this daddy longlegs legend back in 2004. Host Adam Savage subjected himself to a cellar spider bite, proving that the daddy longlegs spider is indeed capable of breaking human skin. The results? Savage reported nothing more than a very mild, short-lived burning sensation. Analysis of the daddy longlegs' venom revealed it's nowhere near as potent as venom from a black widow spider.

So, you really don't need to worry about daddy longlegs, of any variety.

Answer 2

There is a lot more to this question then many would think. Thus, click on the related links section (University of California) indicated below to gain an appropriate understanding on this issue.

Answer 3

Daddy long leg spiders, of the Family Pholcidae, do NOT contain deadly venom. They do contain venom. All spiders do. But when the myth started that they have the deadliest venom, there had been absolutely no research done on the toxicology of the venom. Giving the myth no basis. Now that some research has been done, they have concluded that the venom is relatively weak.

Answer 4

Yes, Daddy long are legs venomous, but only enough to affect insects.

Actually, they are venomous, and they can bite humans, but their venom is mild and produces a mild burn.

Answer 5

No. Although poisonous to other insects, they have no effect on human beings.