Large Crane Flies

Tipulidae

Large crane flies are long-legged insects that look a bit like giant mosquitoes. They are harmless and often found near water, where they lay their eggs.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Large Crane Fly has a slender body and incredibly long, delicate legs, often twice its body length. They usually appear in shades of brown, grey, or yellow, lacking the scales of a mosquito. A distinctive V-shaped groove is visible on their back.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyTipulidae

Large Crane Flies

Interesting facts

Adult crane flies live only a few days, spending their time finding a mate.

If caught, they can shed a leg to escape, a trick called autotomy!

Many crane fly larvae live underground eating dead plants, helping soil stay healthy.

They look like giant mosquitoes but are totally harmless and cannot bite!

Special abilities

Large Crane Flies can shed a leg if caught by a predator, a trick called autotomy, helping them escape to safety.

Large Crane Flies larvae (leatherjackets) have strong mouthparts that help them munch on plant roots or decaying matter.

Large Crane Flies have a mosquito-like appearance that helps them avoid some predators, despite being completely harmless.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 25-65 mm
Size: 15-40 mm
Lifespan: 5-15 days
Flight Speed: 5 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar or don't eat, but larvae munch on decaying plants or plant roots.

Age differences: Larvae (leatherjackets) primarily feed on decaying organic matter or plant roots. Adults generally feed on nectar or not at all during their short lifespan.

Primary Foods

decaying leaves
plant roots
algae
nectar
sap

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Little brown bat

Myotis lucifugus

Hunts flying insects like crane flies at night.

eaten by

Garden orb-weaver

Aranea diademata

Catches adults in its sticky web.

eats

Kentucky bluegrass

Poa pratensis

Larvae (leatherjackets) sometimes consume the roots.

pollinates

Common dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Adults visit flowers for nectar, aiding pollination.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

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.