A to Z of Pests

Crane Fly

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.