Name: Cranefly (Family Tipulidae)

Order: Diptera - True Flies

Natural History: We are all familiar with adult craneflies, even if we don't know it. They look like nothing more than extremely large mosquitoes, and are commonly found around outdoor lights during the summer. But they don't bite or suck blood. In fact, as adults they either do not eat at all, or eat only nectar. Many species are semi-aquatic as larvae, but a number of species have fully aquatic larvae. These are often found in our Potomac streams. Many of the aquatic cranefly larvae are omnivores, while some are active predators and others eat periphyton. They are often eaten, in turn, by fish such as trout and bass.

With bodies up to four inches long, the "head" of a cranefly larva is usually retracted so the front end appears round.  Aquatic crane fly larvae are easily identified by the spiracular disk at the posterior (back) end. This disk has a pair of well developed spiracles that can be thrust to the water's surface for air. However, those that live in well oxygenated streams can obtain dissolved oxygen from the water through their body wall.

Some species have a single generation a year, but some have two or even three. The adults mate in flight, and the females probably deposit eggs directly in the water as they fly.

Pollution tolerance: Moderate (5 out of 10)

Location: Skaggs Run, Hardy County