Bishop's harvestman
Bishopella laciniosa
This record describes Bishopella laciniosa (species). Recorded family: Phalangodidae. Recorded order: Opiliones.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Opiliones (Harvestmen)
- Suborder
- Laniatores
- Superfamily
- Travunioidea
- Family
- Phalangodidae
- Genus
- Bishopella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bishopella laciniosa ( Crosby & Bishop 1924)
About Harvestmen: the wider group
Order-level background for Opiliones, the group containing Bishopella laciniosa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Opiliones (harvestmen/daddy longlegs) includes ~6,650 described species. Despite common myths, harvestmen are NOT spiders - they have a single fused body (not two segments), no venom glands, and no silk. They are completely harmless.
Ecological role of the group
Some harvestmen species practice paternal care - males guard eggs, a rare behavior among arachnids. Many species can detach their legs when caught by predators (autotomy), and the detached leg continues twitching to distract the predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Harvestmen have minimal economic impact. They are primarily beneficial as predators of small arthropods and as decomposers of organic matter in forest and garden ecosystems.
Recorded sources for this group: Arachnology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bishop's harvestman (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by marshal hedin; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , v belov