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Crane Fly
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University)

Common Name: Crane Fly

Order: Diptera

Family: Tipulidae

Pest Status: Crane flies are seldom a pest except when they develop very high populations in turfgrasses or pastures.

Appearance: Crane flies are large, tan-colored flies with very long delicate legs. They are often mistaken for large mosquitoes, but fortunately, these do not bite.

Life Cycle: Females lay their eggs in masses over open water or attach them to vegetation. Within three days, the eggs hatch and the larvae drop into the water to feed on organic debris. The larval stage lasts about four weeks followed by pupation lasting usually two days. Adults have a short, non-feeding, life span of five to ten days.

Where to Collect: Crane flies occur chiefly in damp situations with abundant vegetation.