Don't swat next time you see what you think is a giant mosquito. Get a good look instead because it might not be a mosquito at all.
Instead, it might be a crane fly. Crane flies are often confused with mosquitoes. Because of this, people often swat them away or squash them at first sight. This isn't necessary, though, because crane flies are harmless. They don't bite or sting. In fact, most adult crane flies don't even eat in the final stage of their life cycle.
Thousands of species of crane flies inhabit North America. Most do look a lot like very large mosquitoes. They can be as much as 1 1/2 inches long, and they have long, thin bodies, long legs and a pair of delicate wings. What crane flies don't have is piercing mouthparts. This is how they can be distinguished from mosquitoes.
Without mouthparts, they can't bite us like mosquitoes do. It's also why they don't eat, although some crane flies do sip water or nectar.
Adult crane flies don't live long, only a few days or weeks. Their main goal as adults is to mate and lay eggs. The eggs typically hatch in the fall, and the insects will overwinter as larvae.
Words to know
Inhabit: To live in or occupy a place or environment.
Nuisance: A person, thing or circumstance causing an annoyance or inconvenience
They spend about 95% of their time as larvae. This stage of their life cycle can last as long as three years.
Crane fly larvae can live in water or on land. When they live on land, they are usually found in moist, damp soil. They can sometimes become a nuisance when they feed on the roots and shoots of our lawns. This can cause patches of grass to become damaged. As larvae, they feed on plant matter and other organic material in the water or soil.
As adults, they can fly, but it's still common to see adult crane flies near water, often streams and ponds. They are also seen in moist woodlands and fields. Adult crane flies often mate and lay eggs near where they emerged as adults. Because different species of crane flies hatch and emerge as adults at different times of the year, it's normal to see these large, delicate flies from spring through fall.
Crane flies serve as an important food source for insect-eating animals both in their larval stage and as adults. As larvae, they are sensitive to pollution, especially those that live in the water. Drops in their population can be an indication of poor water quality.
Like moths, crane flies are attracted to light. It's not uncommon for them to make their way indoors through an open door or window next to an exterior light. If they do make their way indoors, you can gently scoop them up and place them back outside. Remember, there is no need to squash these harmless insects.
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