# Eastern Phantom Crane Fly (*Bittacomorpha clavipes*) The Eastern Phantom Crane Fly is a long-legged insect that looks like a giant mosquito! They are harmless and often found near water, where they lay their eggs. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Eastern Phantom Crane Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phantom_crane_fly_2015-04-19-16.23.54_ZS_PMax_%2817204882991%29_%282%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phantom_crane_fly_2015-04-19-16.23.54_ZS_PMax_%2817204882991%29_%282%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Phantom Crane Fly has a delicate, almost ghost-like appearance. Its long, slender legs are strikingly banded with alternating black and white segments, ending in distinct white, club-like tips. Its body is dull black with clear wings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Ptychopteridae - **Genus:** Bittacomorpha ## Interesting facts - Adult phantom crane flies live only days, mostly just to find a mate! - Despite their spooky name, these phantom flies cannot bite or sting you. - Its larvae live underwater for months, breathing through a snorkel-like tube! - They dance in the air with super long legs that seem to disappear! ## Special abilities - **Ghostly Leg Flashing:** Eastern Phantom Crane Fly can flash its white-tipped legs to startle predators or appear larger. - **Aquatic Clean-up Crew:** Eastern Phantom Crane Fly larvae breathe through a special tube and clean waterways by eating decaying plants. - **Leg Drop Escape:** Eastern Phantom Crane Fly can shed a leg if caught, helping it escape danger and survive attacks. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-10 days - **Flight Speed:** 2 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults rarely feed, while their larvae are nature's recyclers, munching on decaying plants underwater. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume decaying organic matter underwater, while adults typically do not feed or only consume nectar and water. - **Primary Foods:** decaying leaves, aquatic plants, algae, detritus, nectar, water - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Mallard Duck (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ducks and waterfowl prey on crane fly larvae in wetlands. - **Eats:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Frogs ambush slow-moving adult crane flies near water. - **Eats:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders catch weak-flying adult crane flies in their webs. - **Eaten by:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Fallen leaves from maples are a food source for larvae. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These flies are friendly and won't hurt you, so you can watch them safely! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Phantom Crane Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Eastern Phantom Crane Fly's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Eastern Phantom Crane Fly? 10-15 mm ### How long does Eastern Phantom Crane Fly live? 5-10 days ### How fast can Eastern Phantom Crane Fly fly? 2 km/h ### What does Eastern Phantom Crane Fly eat? Adults rarely feed, while their larvae are nature's recyclers, munching on decaying plants underwater. ### Where is Eastern Phantom Crane Fly usually found? Wetlands ### How does Eastern Phantom Crane Fly hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Chambers County Courthouse Square Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chambers-county-courthouse-square-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [New Evergreen Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-evergreen-commercial-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Cypress Grove Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cypress-grove-park) — Tennessee, US · Park [View all places to see Eastern Phantom Crane Fly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-phantom-crane-fly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eastern Phantom Crane Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-phantom-crane-fly)