What Is a Crane Fly?
Crane flies are fragile insects that appear in large numbers during late summer. These long-legged flies may look like huge mosquitoes, but they do not bite or sting humans. There are around 4,000 species of these insects, and they all belong to the family Tipulidae, the largest family of flies.
The size of an adult crane fly varies between species. Some can reach a body length of around 60 to 100 mm, while their total length may range from 0.125 to 4 inches. Smaller species can look a lot like mosquitoes.
An adult male has two membranous wings, long legs, and a slender abdomen that ends in a blunt tip. The female's abdomen is thicker and pointed. That sharp tip may look like a stinger, but it is actually the ovipositor, the organ she uses to deposit eggs into soil, water, or mats of algae.
The crane fly has large compound eyes and a pair of antennae. The number of segments on each antenna varies by species: some have 11 to 14, others have around 39 segments per antenna. Smaller species can be told apart from mosquitoes by the V-shaped suture on the back of their thorax.
Crane Fly Life Cycle
The life cycle of crane flies has four stages: egg, larval, pupal, and adult. Once an adult emerges from the pupal stage, it focuses almost entirely on mating. Eggs are laid within a few days.
The female lays black-colored eggs in wet or dry soil, on the water surface, or in mats of algae. The eggs have a tiny filament-like structure that anchors them to the surface. A single female may lay around 2 to 300 eggs. The eggs hatch within a week or two, and the larvae look like grayish-brown, cylindrical, legless worms. The body of a larva tapers toward the head and may have small spots, welts, or other projections.
In some species, the larvae develop a tough outer covering and are known as leatherjackets. The larval stage has four instars. In some cases, larvae overwinter during the third instar and feed heavily. During the fourth instar they stop feeding and move deeper into the soil, where the pupal stage begins within two months, making the larval stage longer in those cases.
Otherwise, the larval stage of crane flies can be as short as a few weeks, after which they begin pupating. The pupal stage is short too, lasting only a week or two. Adult crane flies have very short lives: they mate, lay eggs within a few days, and die.
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Crane Fly Diet
As mentioned above, adult crane flies have a very short lifespan. Mating and laying eggs are their main functions. Usually, crane flies are not seen feeding at all. However, they may sometimes eat pollen and nectar from flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do adult crane flies eat?
Adult crane flies seldom feed. When they do, they sip pollen and nectar from flowers.
What do crane fly larvae eat?
Crane fly larvae eat grass roots, seedlings, flowers, fungi, decomposing wood, and algae. Some species are carnivorous and feed on mosquito larvae and small invertebrates.
Are crane flies the same as daddy long legs?
In Ireland and the United Kingdom, crane flies are commonly called daddy long legs.
Do crane flies eat mosquitoes?
No. Despite the nickname 'mosquito hawk', adult crane flies do not eat mosquitoes.
How many eggs does a crane fly lay?
A single female crane fly may lay around 2 to 300 eggs.
Crane fly larvae, however, are voracious feeders. They eat grass roots, seedlings, flowers, fungi, decomposing wood, algae, and more. Larvae of some crane fly species can be carnivorous and feed on mosquito larvae, small insects, and invertebrates, making those larvae predators too. Some are shredders, using their specialized mouthparts to shred food. Others are gatherers who collect food from animal feces and other decomposing organic material.
When Larvae Become Pests
When it comes to the diet of crane flies, the larvae play the main role, they feed primarily on plant matter. In large numbers, they are considered pests. They can destroy grass and other plants by eating the roots, causing the turf to turn yellow. When you pull such grass, it comes out easily because there are no roots left to hold it. This damage occurs during autumn and winter, and gets worse during spring when the larvae are fully grown.
Predators like skunks and moles may dig up turf to feed on crane fly larvae, which also causes significant damage. Though adult flies are not considered pests, they can be a nuisance because of their habit of swarming around light sources. Control measures are not usually needed for crane flies and leatherjackets. However, severe leatherjacket infestations may need to be treated with proper pesticides. Biological nematodes are preferred for eliminating crane fly larvae.
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Fun fact for today!Crane flies are also known as skeeter eaters or mosquito hawks, but they don't eat mosquitoes!