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The Crane Fly
The Crane Fly
Insects in the family Tipulidae are commonly known as crane flies. Adults are very slender, long-legged flies that may vary in length from 2–60 millimeters (mm). Tropical species, however, may exceed 100 mm.
In some countries they are commonly referred to as daddy long-legs, but this name can also refer to two unrelated arthropods: members of the arachnid order Opiliones and the cellar spider Pholcidae. Numerous other common names have been applied to the crane fly, many of them more or less regional, including mosquito hawk, mosquito eater, gallinipper, gollywhopper, and jimmy spinner.
At least 4,256 species of crane flies, about 75 percent, have been described by the specialist Charles Paul Alexander. This makes the Tipulidae the largest family of Diptera.
In appearance they seem long and gangly, with very long legs, and a long slender abdomen. The wings are often held out when at rest, making the large halteres easily visible. Unlike most flies, crane flies are weak and poor fliers with a tendency to “wobble” in unpredictable patterns during flight, and they can be caught without much effort. Also, it is very easy to accidentally break off their delicate legs when catching them, even without direct contact.
Crane flies vary in size, with temperate species ranging from 2 mm up to 60 mm, while tropical species have been recorded at over 100 mm. The Giant Crane Fly (Holorusia rubiginosa) of the western United States can reach 38 mm (1.5 inches). Some Tipula species are 64 mm (2.5 inches). Many smaller species (known as bobbing gnats) are mosquito-sized, but they can be distinguished from mosquitoes by the V-shaped suture on the thorax, non-piercing mouthparts, and a lack of scales on the wing veins.
Female abdomens contain eggs, and as a result appear swollen in comparison to those of males. The female abdomen also ends in a pointed ovipositor that may look somewhat like a stinger but is in fact completely harmless.
Adult mouthparts may occur on the end of the crane fly’s long face, which is sometimes called a snout or a short rostrum.
Larvae have a distinct head capsule, and their abdominal segments often have long fleshy projections surrounding the posterior spiracles (almost like tentacles).
Despite their common names, these fly species do not prey on mosquitoes as adults, nor do they bite humans. Adult crane flies feed on nectar or they do not feed at all; once they become adults, most crane fly species exist as adults only to mate and die. Their larvae, called “leatherjackets”, “leatherbacks”, “leatherback bugs” or “leatherjacket slugs”, because of the way they move, consume roots (such as those of turf grass) and other vegetation, in some cases causing damage to plants. The crane fly is occasionally considered a mild turf pest in some areas. In 1935, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London was among the venues affected by leatherjackets: several thousand were collected by ground staff and burned, because they caused bald patches on the wicket and the pitch took unaccustomed spin for much of the season.
Little is known of the juvenile biology of many crane fly species. The larvae of less than 2 percent of the species have been described. Of those that have been described, many prefer moist environments, and some leatherjackets are aquatic.
The long legs are an adaptation that may allow the fly to alight in grassy places.
They are however a food source for many birds. They are also susceptible to fungal infections and are a food source for many other insects.
An urban legend states that the daddy long-legs spider has the most potent venom of any spider; this same legend is attributed to crane flies where they commonly go by the name “daddy long-legs” (principally in the United Kingdom). In fact, the crane fly is innocuous, while the spider’s venom is harmless to humans because of the small dosage. The commonly confused harvestman, also known as daddy long-legs but which isn’t a spider, is also not venomous. (Source: Wikipedia – The Free online Encyclopedia)
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