Leiobunum.rotundum.female” by James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

This report is by Society member Mike Killeby who observed Harvestmen in Milton Keynes Woods from September 2011-2014.

Harvestmen hatch in spring from eggs laid in the soil the previous autumn. Good levels of humidity are essential for their survival. Some species remain at soil level whilst others migrate through the herb layer and become arboreal.

We have twenty six species on the UK list, five of which are recent introductions. The insects are difficult to see and they are prone to seek cover when disturbed. They can be collected by the use of a beating tray and a walking stick. Half of the species live their lives in the leaf litter and grass/moss layer. These species can be found by carefully removing surface leaves and collecting fine damp litter for sieving.

Fourteen woods were visited at different times through the years, the most species found were twelve in Linford Wood, other sites had between five and nine species. This work will continue.

Species recorded in order of frequency found.