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Common Crane Flies
ExploreInsects
Common Crane Flies
Tipula
Common Crane Flies are long-legged insects that look a bit like giant mosquitoes! They are harmless and often found in gardens and fields, dancing in the air during warm days.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Common Crane Fly has a slender, greyish-brown body with incredibly long, delicate legs. Its transparent, often iridescent wings are noticeably veined, extending past its body. It is often mistaken for a giant mosquito, but lacks a biting proboscis.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyTipulidaeGenusTipula
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Did you know that adult crane flies only live for about two weeks, just long enough to find a mate? Wow!
Even though they look like giant mosquitoes, crane flies have no sting and cannot bite humans! Wow!
Some crane flies are nicknamed "mosquito eaters", but adults mostly sip nectar or don't eat at all! Wow!
Their babies, called "leatherjackets", live in the soil eating plant roots, not flying bugs! Wow!
Special abilities
Ability
Leg Drop Defense
Common Crane Flies can intentionally detach a leg if caught, allowing them to escape danger.
Ability
Underground Gardener
Common Crane Flies' larvae break down dead plants and roots, helping to enrich the soil.
Ability
No-Meal Master
Adult Common Crane Flies often do not eat at all, having very weak or vestigial mouthparts.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 40-60 mm
- Size
- 10-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-15 days
- Flight Speed
- 3-8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adult crane flies usually don't eat, but their larvae are busy munching on roots and decaying plants!
Age differences: Larvae eat roots and decaying plants; adults typically do not feed or only consume nectar/water.
Primary Foods
- decaying plant matter
- grass roots
- leaf litter
- moss
- fungi
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Birds like starlings often prey on adult crane flies.
eaten by
Common Frog
Rana temporaria
Frogs readily consume the slow-moving adult crane flies.
depends on
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Larvae feed on roots, sometimes causing lawn damage.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Crane Flies are safe to watch, but don't try to catch them!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Common Crane Flies's wingspan?
40-60 mm
How big is Common Crane Flies?
10-25 mm
How long does Common Crane Flies live?
10-15 days
How fast can Common Crane Flies fly?
3-8 km/h
What does Common Crane Flies eat?
Adult crane flies usually don't eat, but their larvae are busy munching on roots and decaying plants!
Where is Common Crane Flies usually found?
Grasslands
How does Common Crane Flies hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Common Crane Flies have?
6
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