Bugs with long legs are a fascinating group of insects that can be found all around the world. Their elongated legs give them a distinctive appearance and allow them to hunt prey, navigate terrain, and move in unique ways. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common bugs with long legs and what makes them special.
What Defines Bugs With Long Legs
Bugs are considered to have long legs when their legs are noticeably longer than their body size. This proportional difference allows them to take lengthy strides and cover ground efficiently. Long legs also provide an advantage when hunting small, quick prey.
Some key features of bugs with long legs:
- Legs that are multiple times longer than the body
- Slender, delicate leg segments
- Legs that are thin, not thick or prominent
- Ability to take long strides and move quickly
- Heightened mobility over varied terrain and environments
Common Examples of Bugs With Long Legs
Here are some of the most widespread and recognizable bugs that feature long legs:
Cellar Spiders
One of the most common long-legged bugs is the cellar spider Their legs can be up to four times the length of their body. Their long limbs allow them to build expansive webs to trap prey
Harvestmen
Also known as daddy longlegs, harvestmen are arachnids with extremely elongated legs. Their legs are about the same length as their entire body. They use their lengthy legs to hunt for small insects and navigate dense vegetation.
Crane Flies
Crane flies resemble giant mosquitos. They have very thin spindly legs that dangle below their body at rest. Their long legs enable them to flutter over and around surfaces of water without falling in.
House Centipedes
House centipedes have 15 pairs of long, delicate legs These legs ripple quickly to propel them into small cracks and crevices in search of spider and insect prey Their legs also contain venom to subdue caught prey.
Water Striders
With their extended legs evenly spaced, water striders are able to skate along the surface of the water without falling in. Their legs have tiny hairs that repel water and distribute their weight.
Long-legged Katydids
Long-legged katydids, found in Asia and Oceania, use their jumping ability and oversized rear legs to travel far distances through treetops and dense forest habitats.
Long-legged Bush Crickets
Native to Europe, these green crickets have thin legs that are about the same length as their elongated bodies. They are not fast runners, so rely on camouflage to avoid predators.
Hunting and Movement Adaptations
Bugs with long legs have developed key adaptations that allow them to thrive in their environments.
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Their lengthy strides help them cover ground quickly without having to constantly move their legs. This allows them to roam widely in search of food.
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Slender legs are perfect for probing into small cracks in search of spiders, insects, and other prey.
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Delicate, thin legs are less noticeable to potential prey. This allows them to hunt by stealth.
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Spindly legs floating on the water’s surface provide excellent mobility without breaking the surface tension.
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Jumping legs give them the ability to leap far distances to avoid predators or traverse the forest canopy.
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Their small leg contact area combined with distributive weight through numerous legs allows them to walk on mud, swampy areas, and the surface of water bodies.
Habitats Prone to Long-Legged Bugs
Certain habitats and environments are especially prone to hosting bugs with long legs:
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Cellar spiders in dark, moist basements
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Harvestmen under logs and forest litter
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Crane flies around lakes, streams, and marshes
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House centipedes in cracks inside homes
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Water striders on the surface of ponds and wetlands
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Long-legged katydids in tropical and temperate forests
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Long-legged bush crickets in European forests and grasslands
Areas that provide small prey and surfaces that reward lengthy strides tend to attract the most long-legged bugs. Their leg adaptations allow them to access food and navigate terrain in these habitats.
Benefits and Detriments of Long-Legged Bugs
The presence of long-legged bugs can be both beneficial and detrimental:
Benefits
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They prey on pest species like mosquitos, spiders, cockroaches, and aphids.
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Their presence indicates a healthy local ecosystem with insect prey.
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Some species help decompose plant matter.
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They provide food for birds, fish, and other wildlife.
Detriments
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Certain species damage agricultural crops and garden plants.
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House centipedes and cellar spiders frighten homeowners.
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Dense populations can indicate excessive moisture or pest issues.
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Some long-legged bugs are seen as a nuisance when they congregate near homes.
With their fascinating legs taking center stage, bugs with long legs occupy an intriguing niche in the insect world. Their leggy adaptations allow them to thrive across an impressive diversity of environments. Taking a closer look at their behavior and ecology reveals important connections to the healthy functioning of local habitats. Whether considered helpful predators or creepy pests, long-legged bugs are unavoidable denizens of the landscapes we share.
What do centipedes look like?
House centipedes are easy to spot by their elongated, worm-like body with their many pairs of legs. They can actually have anywhere from 15-177 pairs of legs with one pair per segment, depending on the species. Interestingly, centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs. In general, the body of a centipede is usually yellowish to dark brown in color, sometimes with darker stripes or markings. The heads of centipedes have a pair of long and sensitive antennae covered with dense hairs. They have small mouths and have large, claw-like structures that contain a venom gland. In fact, some centipedes have compound eyes containing as many as 200 optical units, while others have a cluster of simple eyes on each side of the hear or no eyes.
There are two representative species. The usual pest species is the common house centipede Scutigera coleoptrata (Linnaeus). This centipede is about 1-1 1/2” (25-38 mm) long. Its body is grayish yellow with three longitudinal dark stripes. The house centipede has 15 pairs of long legs. The antennae and last pair of legs are longer than its body. The largest centipedes are in the genus Scolopendra and may grow to as much as 6” (15 cm) long. Their legs and antennae are shorter than those of the house centipede. Common Centipede Habits
Centipedes typically overwinter outdoors in protected situations and lay their eggs during the summer, usually in or on the soil. Females of Scutigera have been known to produced 35 eggs over a period of days.
Centipedes are found in areas of high moisture, such as loose bark, in rotting logs, under stones, in trash or piles of leaves and grass. When they invade homes, centipedes are most commonly found in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms or potted plants.
All centipedes have very poor eyesight and track their prey through the use of touch and smell. Centipedes are primarily carnivorous and obtain most of their moisture needs from their prey Most house centipedes are nocturnal, and prey primarily on flies, spiders and sometimes plant tissue, causing injury. Centipedes are not likely to consume wood. In actuality, arthropods commonly known as wood eating centipedes are millipedes. While millipedes do closely resemble centipedes, millipedes are herbivores and detritivores, surviving on dead and decaying plant material, including wood or cellulose material. Common Centipede Habitats
Centipedes are found throughout the United States and the world. They are typically found in areas of high moisture, such as in rotting logs, under stones, in trash or piles of leaves/grass. When they invade homes, centipedes are most commonly found in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms, or potted plants. Do Centipedes Pose a Threat?
Centipedes are generally considered nuisance pests, as they do not pose significant health or property threats. However, all house centipedes have poison jaws with which they inject venom into their prey. Do Centipedes Bite?
If handled roughly, some larger species can inflict a painful bite that can break human skin and cause pain and swelling, similar to a bee sting. The large Scolopendra can inflict a very painful bite and should be handled with great care. Signs of an Infestation
Centipedes typically leave no direct signs of an infestation other than the sighting of the pest itself. How to Get Rid of House Centipedes
The most effective way to prevent a centipede infestation is to reduce areas of moisture in and around your home. Remove piles of leaves and grass clippings, logs, stones and rocks on your property. Store firewood off the ground. Provide adequate ventilation in basements, attics and crawl spaces. Seal holes, cracks and gaps that enable outdoor centipedes to get inside a home.
If a centipede is found indoors, you can get rid of it with a vacuum. However, you should contact a licensed pest professional if you suspect an infestation. You can find one near you with the helpful zip code search below.
What is a Centipede?
Centipedes are sometimes called house centipedes or “hundred-leggers” because of their many pairs of legs. They are widely distributed throughout most of United States and the world. Centipedes are rarely seen by humans due to their nocturnal activity and the speed in which they move. Most centipedes live for more than a year and some up to six years. Read on to learn more centipede facts.
Bug Assembly – SNL
FAQ
What is the bug with very long legs?
Scutigera coleoptrata, also known as the house centipede, is a species of centipede that is typically yellowish-grey and has up to 15 pairs of long legs. Originating in the Mediterranean region, it has spread to other parts of the world, where it can live in human homes.
What is a crane fly good for?
About 95% of their life is spent in this larval stage, and it can last as long as three years or more. During this time as larvae, crane flies are important for recycling and decomposition – they eat leaves, plants and small bits of organic material in the soil or water bodies where they live.
Why do I suddenly have crane flies in my house?
Adult crane flies are primarily attracted to light sources, particularly artificial lights at night.
What are the long leg bugs in my house?
House centipedes are common household insects known for their many legs that help them scurry past you in the blink of an eye.Jan 20, 2025
What bugs have a lot of legs?
Here is a list of the 7 most commonly found long and small bugs in your house with lots of legs. Check out how they look, including the number of legs they have. Also, know if they are a problem to worry about or not. Millipedes mean 1000 legs, and this bug carries those many legs effortlessly. It has got more legs than any other known bug.
What are the effects of bee stings on arms and legs?
Bee stings are painful injuries. The pain usually only lasts for a few hours if you have a mild reaction. Symptoms on your skin like swelling, skin discoloration and itching may last for a few days following the sting.
Are bugs with long legs harmful?
Many of the bugs that have long legs are harmless to humans. However, they are efficient predators and deadly to small insects. Despite their long legs, they cannot move at high speed, making them slow-moving insects.
Do bugs with long legs have wings?
Some bugs with long legs also have wings. Large bugs with long legs may sometimes struggle to fly long distances.
What insects have more than 6 legs?
Most people are familiar with the 6-legged insects, such as ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. However, there are actually a number of insects that have more than 6 legs. For example, some species of millipedes can have up to 750 legs, while centipedes typically have between 15 and 177 legs.
Are bugs with long legs slow-moving?
A good percentage of bugs with long legs are slow-moving. Despite their long legs, they cannot move at high speed, making them easy prey for insectivores. As a result, many long-legged bugs are found in areas with aphids or other slow-moving insects.