Crane fly
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Crane flies (Tipulidae) are a family of insects resembling giant mosquitoes. Like the mosquito, they are in the order Diptera (flies). They are sometimes called mosquito eaters, lollygaggers, mosquito hawks, leather jackets or skeeter eaters. The family is also one of three within the arthropod phylum popularly called Daddy long-legs.
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 (balancers) easily visible. Unlike mosquitoes, crane flies are weak and poor fliers, with a tendency to "wobble" in unpredictable patterns during flight, but can be caught without much effort. However, it is very easy to accidentally break off their delicate legs when catching them, even without direct contact. This may help them to evade the birds who pursue them as prey.
Temperate species range up to 60 mm in size, while tropical species have been recorded at over 100 mm. They are attracted towards light. The females have swollen abdomen (because of eggs held inside) in comparison to the males. The female abdomen also ends in a pointed ovipositor that looks a bit like a stinger.
Despite their common names, crane flies do not prey on mosquitoes, nor do they bite humans. Adult crane flies feed on nectar or not at all, while their larvae, called leatherjackets, consume roots (such as those of turf grass in backyard lawns) and other vegetation, in some cases causing damage to plants. Therefore the crane fly is occasionally considered a mild turf pest in some areas. Some leatherjackets are aquatic.
At least 14,000 species have been described (most of them, 75%, by the specialist Charles P. Alexander), making Tipulidae the largest family of Diptera. The Giant Crane Fly (Holorusia rubiginosa) of the 'West' (Western United States) can reach 38 mm (1-3/8 inches). Some Tipula species are 64 mm (2-1/2 inches). There are many smaller species (known as bobbing gnats) that are mosquito-sized, but they can be distinguished by the V-shaped suture on the thorax and a lack of ocelli. They are the food source of many birds.
Morphology
Adults are very slender, long-legged flies; may vary in length from 2 mm to 60 mm (tropical species > 100 mm). Adult mouthparts may occur on the end of a snout or short rostrum. Larvae have a distinct head capsule, and terminal abdominal segments often have long fleshy projections (almost like tentacles). Larvae are known for no more than 2% of the species.Biology and Ecology
The life cycle is usually brief: egg, four larval stages, short pupal stage and short-lived adult. Life cycles among species vary from 6 weeks to 6 years [link]; typically 1 to 2 years in temperate species, and up to 5 years in some Arctic species. Crane flies occur from the Arctic to equatorial forests and even in some mountain ranges. Most species are associated with moist temperate environments. They can occur in amazingly diverse habitats. These include fresh water, intertidal zones, cliff faces with film of wet algal growth, moist moss and lichen, decaying wood, mud, loamy soils by streams, leaf mining (a Hawaiian species), decaying plant materials, fungi, organic matter in some bird and mammal nests, crop fields, and dry soils in lawns and pastures.
See also
- Crane fly orchid (Tipularia discolor)
External links
- [Family descriptions and images]
- [Ohio State University Fact Sheet]
- [1 Photo]
- [Crane Flies of Pennsylvania]
- [Crane Fly Tipula sp.]
- [Crane Fly Tipula dorsimacula]
- [Crane Fly Epiphragma fasciapenne]
- [Catalogue of Craneflies of the World]
- [Family Tipulidae - By Pjotr Oosterbroek]
References
1. Oosterbroek, Pjotr. "Tipulidae"
Family descriptions and images Ohio State University Fact Sheet 1 Photo Crane Flies of Pennsylvania Crane Fly Tipula sp. Crane Fly Tipula dorsimacula Crane Fly Epiphragma fasciapenne Catalogue of Craneflies of the World Family Tipulidae - By Pjotr Oosterbroek [edit] References
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