Dicranopalpus ramosus
(Simon, 1909)
No Common Name
Male Dicranopalpus ramosus
Dicranopalpus ramous is a very recognisable harvestman when you do see it. It will most likely be sitting on a wall or on a leaf with its legs spread out to the side and parallel. It is not a big harvestman, and while it’s legs are very long, its body is only between 3mm and 6mm. One key identifying characteristic is the fork on its pedipalp, caused by a projection from the patella.
The adults can vary from beige to reddish-brown to almost black.
Males typically have a black ‘Zorro’ mask across their eyes.
Adults are most commonly found in bushes or trees, where their long legs make it easy for them to traverse the foliage. Juveniles are often found in lower bushes or herbage.
It is not actually a native invertebrate, being originally from Morocco. It spread into Europe in the middle of the last century, making it to England in 1957. The first official Irish records appear in 1994. That said, it hasn’t quite colonised the whole of the country just yet, the north, northwest and the midlands seem to be exempt as yet.
It is assumed that it has facilitated its migration using imported plants and bushes.
Male Dicranopalpus ramosus showing the claws on the chelicerae.
