Daddy longlegs are unusual arachnids commonly encountered in yards and gardens. Distant relatives of spiders, they are classed in their own order, Opiliones. More than 200 species occur in North America, many of which are of European origin. Like other arachnids, the daddy longlegs have four pairs of legs; however, the legs are extremely long--proportionately longer and more conspicuous than with any other insect or animal. Males, although somewhat smaller than females, have particularly long legs. The body of a daddy longlegs is generally globular, lacking distinct body regions although the abdomen is clearly segmented. They have two small eyes that are mounted on tubercles of the head. Their jaws (chelicerae) are designed to tear apart food so that it can be mixed with digestive fluids. Unlike spiders, they do not possess poison glands, although their purported toxicity is a widespread/worldwide urban legend. They also have no glands to produce silk. Daddy longlegs are generalists in their feeding habits. They consume small, soft-bodied insects, slugs and mites and are considered to be beneficial in the garden. They will also scavenge dead insects, spiders or earthworms. Some may also feed on plant juices. Daddy longlegs overwinter in the egg stage, which are usually laid in moist soil or cracks of plants. They hatch in spring and the developing daddy longlegs become fully mature in two to three months following egg hatch, a process during which they molt repeatedly. Molting is particularly difficult due to their long legs. The process has been described as being likened to "trying to take off one's jacket when the sleeves are tied to the pants leg." At molting, the insect hangs upside down and grabs each leg with their jaws to free it. Care is given to prevent the soft, unhardened legs from sticking to each other and the daddy longlegs remains hanging for several hours as the chemical changes occur that allow the new exoskeleton to harden. Another habit that is frequently observed is the ability of daddy longlegs to lose legs and still maintain mobility. Legs may be easily severed (autotomized) when confronted with a predator and the leg may remain active for a period of time to distract the enemy. Legs are also lost during battles between adult males where the objective is to get above and tear off legs of the rival. Unlike spiders, the legs of daddy longlegs do not regenerate in subsequent molts. Most species of daddy longlegs have a single generation per year, although some may produce a second generation. Most have a lifecycle that ends after a single year, but some may live for two years. Adults are most common and obvious in late summer or early fall. Their conspicuous presence at this time, coincident with season-end harvest, leads to the European term for these animals as "harvestmen."

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