Crane Fly

A crane fly is a member of the dipteran superfamily Tipuloidea, which includes families such as Cylindrotomidae, Limoniidae, Pediciidae, and Tipulidae, among others. Notably, “winter crane flies” belong to the family Trichoceridae and are considered a sister group to typical crane flies.

Crane flies, often called mosquito hawks or “skeeter-eaters,” do not prey on mosquitoes. The colloquial term “daddy longlegs” also applies. Their larvae are known as leatherjackets. Appearing in the Middle Triassic, crane flies are among the oldest fly groups, with over 15,500 species described, primarily by Charles Paul Alexander.

Adults typically resemble large mosquitoes, with slender bodies and long legs, often losing these legs easily. They thrive in moist environments and generally do not feed, with some consuming nectar or pollen. Their wingspans range from 1.0 to 6.5 cm, and some species can reach 11 cm.

Crane fly larvae inhabit diverse habitats, feeding on decaying plant matter or other organisms. Adult females usually lay eggs in moist soil or on water surfaces. The lifecycle includes a brief adult lifespan of 10 to 15 days, with eggs often black and sometimes featuring filaments to anchor them in their environments.

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