Crane Fly (Daddy Long Legs)

Tipulidae oleracea

Appearance

•  Adult - 60mm long (wingspan 75mm). They are grey–brown and slender. Their legs are super-thin and long.
•  Larvae - 15 - 75mm. They are worm–like and grey, brown or cream-coloured.

Lifecycle

•  Eggs are laid over the water of a pond or lake, or on the vegetation near the lake shore and hatch after about six weeks.
•  The larvae live in the water or in moist soil for up to five years depending on the species.
•  In the spring the larvae pupate and then emerge as adults.

Habits

•  As adults they neither feed, bite nor sting.
•  The larvae, called leatherjackets, consume roots (such as garden lawns) and other vegetation.