Harvestmen Spider Identification and Ecology

The Harvestmen (Opiliones) is a fascinating but greatly neglected group related to spiders. They are known from Scottish fossils from the Rhynie Chert (c.400 million years ago), and since then they have changed remarkably little. Harvestmen are important predators of other invertebrates and should be familiar to all who undertake invertebrate surveys. They are ideal subjects for beginners or those looking to widen their knowledge of land invertebrates. There are only 26 species in Britain (including four recent introductions) and during this course you should see most of them.

Mike Davidson is an amateur naturalist with a particular interest in invertebrate ecology and is an area organiser for the Spider Recording Scheme.

Further Information

This course is now historical and therefore no bookings can be taken.