Barry has photographed this Daddy Long-legs (Pholcus phalangioides) so many times recently that it thinks another photo call beckons every time the light goes on in our downstairs loo. As I washed my hands the other day it dropped down on a silken thread right in front of my face as if to say, 'I'm here . . . I'm ready . . . how do you want me?' It made me jump but I am definitely much steadier around spiders these days though I do look all around when I go into the small room and if there are too many arachnid visitors there I decide I need the exercise entailed in walking upstairs!
Daddy Long-legs spiders are found all year round in UK and are particularly common in the South. They are about 10mm long and eat mites and small insects. They can always be found in houses and sometimes in caves. Apparently if they are disturbed they shake their bodies so fast that they become a blur. Obviously ours are extremely relaxed around humans since we have never observed this behaviour!I am quite fond of Daddy Long-legs - the name is attractive. I also loved the 1955 film of that name in which Fred Astaire starred with Leslie Caron. I could watch Fred Astaire dance for hours and never tire . . . and I like his pleasant light singing voice. You can watch him here.
Thank you to Tracy from 'Hey Harriet' for creating and hosting this meme.
