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Found worldwide, and commonly referred to as ‘Daddy Longlegs’ in Europe (although a species of spider is also referred to as Daddy Longlegs!), this creature is an insect.
How long does it live?
It has a lifespan of around 10 -15 days during this stage of development, although it will have already spent a number of months in the ground as a ‘leatherjacket’ larvae.
Why is it called a leatherjacket?
The image in the centre (see above) is this creature in the larvae form, commonly known as a Leatherjacket (due to its leather like skin), and is a well know garden pest.
How does it reproduce?
As the eggs are laid in the soil, the larvae emerges and feeds on, amongst other things, the roots of grass. Brown patches in lawns can often be attributed to Leatherjackets.
In 1935,Β Lord’s Cricket GroundΒ in London was among venues affected by leatherjackets. Several thousand were collected by ground staff and burned, because they caused bald patches on theΒ wicket and the pitch took unaccustomed spin for much of the season Wikipedia
