The crane fly (Tipulidae) is the largest in the family of true flies. The crane fly's habitat ranges from aquatic to terrestrial, meaning from water to land. The crane fly has a long body with two elongated wings, and long, thin legs. Crane flies are often wrongly identified as being mosquitoes. They also supposedly eat mosquitoes. Neither is true.
Time Frame
The crane fly life cycle consists of a short egg stage, a fairly lengthy larval feeding period from December to January, a short pupal stage when it rests and a brief adult breeding period. Adult crane flies usually appear between February and March. Adult crane flies only live between 10 and 15 days. The primary objectives of adult crane flies are mating and laying eggs. Male crane flies have an aimless flight pattern, while females are direct and linear.
The Facts
Crane fly larvae are detritus feeders, meaning they eat dead or decaying organisms. As they break down the organic substances they eat, they are enriching the soil. The larvae can be found in a wide range of habitats.
Significance
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has listed these habitats for crane flies: fresh water in fast-flowing streams, marshes, springs, meadows, seeps (spot where water seeps out of ground), tree holes, algal growth or mosses on rock faces near water, organic mud and decaying vegetable debris along the shores of streams and ponds. They can also be found in piles of decomposed leaves, rotting wood and, once in a while, in lawn soil and pastures.
Features
As adults, crane flies are lethargic fliers. Because crane flies are not the fastest fliers, they are easy prey for predators. Crane flies can often be found in damp and humid woodlands or in the vicinity of water. These are usually the same places where they spent their larval feeding period. Crane flies are usually present in the spring and fall.
Considerations
Crane flies are also mostly active in the coolest parts of the day, mostly around sunset. Adults feed on flower nectar, or they eat nothing at all. The natural predators of the crane fly are birds, certain insects, such as the ground beetle, spiders, frogs and carnivorous plants. Although adult crane flies are harmless, they are often labeled as pests.
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