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The Crane Fly
Photographs and Information on the Crane Fly
What person’s childhood would be complete without having pulled a crane fly apart? For me no other insect reminds me of my boyhood than the crane fly. I can still remember staring in amazement as I tried to catch them in my hands only to find its legs come away from the rest of the body with an alarming ease.
I knew them by their alter ego, the Daddy Long Legs, fishing trips and walks in the countryside wouldn’t be complete without a chase or two of these amazing creatures but until now I’d never had the opportunity to take a macro look at them.
The Crane Fly
Because they are so weak they are poor at flying, hence the ease at which children capture them. That said, try getting them to stay still to photograph and that’s another story
The Spotted Crane Fly
The crane fly comes under the family name of Tipulidae, with well over 4,000 species in the family it is the largest group of all true flies. Outside of the United Kingdom the Daddy Long Legs is also known as the Mosquito Hawk, Mosquito Eater and the brilliant name of Gollywhopper.
The adult has a very short lifespan, a matter of days and during its adulthood will not feed at all. It’s life is wracked with danger; fish eat the larvae which is deposited into streams, ponds and rivers and birds, stoats and weasels eat the adults.
Wing of a Crane Fly
The wings are remarkable, so delicate but through the lens of a macro lens the detail really stands out. Despite their mosquito related names they are not harmful to humans. They are, however highly annoying when a light is turned on during a summer’s evening and so attracting a mass of them. Better though that they are indoors then on your lawn where they can inflict some considerable damage.
Crane Fly in Lincolnshire
Hi Miles:
I like this English gentleman - local naturalist thing that’s happening on the blog! It is necessary to take a break from one’s chosen or accidental profession from time to time. That’s what international cuisines are for me - and what bog and heath-trotting and photographing the wildlife is for you.
Some of the greatest naturalist’s the world have ever produced have been from your side of the pond. Looking forward to more. . .
Laura
June 3, 2010 @ 12:45 pm
Outstanding post !
Great info and stunning pictures
Best
Rod
June 3, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
Double speechless at these.
June 3, 2010 @ 6:35 pm
Miles,
I don’t like daddy long legs…. they flit about and annoy me. I would add in my defense though that I have never pulled one apart. Your images are very detailed and once again I love the colours. Nature is bountiful if a little quirky in the design department sometimes…. those long delicate legs can’t be a good idea surely? The structure of insect wings is amazing this close up…. you can see why Tiffany was inspired when he created his fabulous lamps with dragonfly wing designs.
What is it they do to lawns I wonder…. if they eat the grass then I’ll hire an army of them to keep mine in check.
Cid
June 3, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
Laura,
Thanks! Glad you understand where I’m coming from! There’ll be some food next week again though
Miles
June 3, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
Rod,
Thanks again, not bad things those macro lenses you know
Miles
June 3, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Annie,
Spooky creatures aren’t they?
Thanks
Miles
June 3, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
Cid,
The little blighters feed on the roots of lawns during winter, you’re ok with the odd one but a job lot can do a lot of damage, new lawns are worst hit because they have underdeveloped root systems.
Miles
June 3, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
Miles,
Stunning photos. I love the colours of the wing. What an amazing looking creature close up. I shall think of them in a different light now.
Anne
June 3, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
Anne,
That’s the thing, from a distance they are pretty forgetable, up close with a macro and they resemble something from a Sci-fi movie.
Miles
June 3, 2010 @ 10:00 pm
Miles,
Grass roots…. the Crane fly’s answer to asparagus
When I bring out my own paint label I shall use names like Crane fly’s eye green and Crane’s body blue….. Elephants Breath by F & B will take some beating but I feel a sense of inspiration coming on
Cid
June 4, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
Cid,
I’ve just looked at my lawn, I’m blaming crane flies
Miles
June 4, 2010 @ 7:22 pm