Harvestman

Description:

Opilio parietinus is a large species, the female 7.5 mms., the male 6.0 mms. in length. It has a grey-brown mottled appearance due to a mixture of yellow, white and brown spots. There is no dark median band but a longitudinal row of brown dots sometimes take its place. The legs are long and spotted and the distinguishing feature of the species is an elongated black or brown spot on the underside of the coxa. The ovipositor of the female is unlike that of the other British species : it is conspicuously marked with a number of dark angular rings. Opilio parietinus is currently thought to be almost extinct in most parts of western Europe, where it has been replaced by the invasive and fairly similar Opilio canestrinii.

Habitat:

Opilio parietinus is a species of harvestman. It is found in Europe and North America. Harvestmen live in fields and forests. They can climb tree trunks or look for food on the ground. Female Harvestmen lay eggs in moist soil, often under rocks or logs. They have a small needle-like part, called an ovipositor, that sticks out from their bodies. Females use their ovipositors to inject eggs into the soil. The eggs survive through Winter and hatch in the Spring, when it is warm enough.

Notes:

Spotted on my basil plant in Deventer, Holland.