Crane Flies
What are they?
These distinctive flies are sometimes known as 'daddy-long-legs', a name also used for some long-legged spiders, and thus a source of potential confusion. These can be very common to locally abundant insects at certain times of year when the adults emerge en masse from the soil. Larvae are often known as 'leatherjackets' and feed on decaying plant material, as well as grass roots - the latter habit causing them to be considered pests by gardeners.
Identification
With their long, spindly legs, these are easily recognized flies, though some smaller species can be confused with some of the larger gnats. Identification to species can be difficult in this rather plain and nondescript bunch of insects and only some of the more distinctively-marked species can be identified in the field.
Tiger Crane Fly Nephrotoma ferruginea
The tiger crane flies tend to have striping on their thorax. The current species is a fairly bright, orange-brown color.
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Tipula ultima
A widespread and common species usually associated with woodland and woodland edge. A plain brown insect with just a few darker spots on the wings. Adults come to light at night and fly late in the season, often being on the wing in October.
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Tipula longiventris
A widespread and common species with a noticeably long abdomen extending well beyond the tip of the dark-spotted wings.
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