Crane fly larvae
Tipulidae · Aquatic life
Whole animal · Photo: Uwe Schneehagen / CC BY-SA
Also called Leatherjackets, Crane flies, Tipulids, Mosquito hawks (adults)
How to identify Crane fly larvae
- Plump, soft, grayish brown to translucent larvae from about 1/2 to 2 inches
- No legs; head pulled inside the body so the front end looks blunt
- Rear end has a ring of short, fleshy lobes around two dark breathing spots
- Tough, leathery skin; some can puff up the front end
- Adults look like giant mosquitoes with very long legs but do not bite
Similar species
Horse fly larvae are pointed at both ends with raised rings around each segment. Rat tailed maggots have a long breathing tail.
Profile
| Season | Larvae present all year; adults most common in spring and fall. |
|---|---|
| Starts | Active through cool months; adults emerge in spring |
| Depth | Shoreline mud, leaf packs and stream bottoms |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Winged adults fly |
| Habitat | Wet mud and leaf litter along shorelines, springs, seeps and marsh edges; under rocks and in debris in streams and canals. |
Why it matters in a lake
Harmless recyclers of dead leaves and good food for trout. Adults are often blamed as mosquitoes but cannot bite.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae |
| Scientific name | Tipulidae |
Midge larvae (bloodworms)
Mosquito larvae
Dragonfly nymphs
Damselfly nymphs
Water boatmen
Backswimmers
Predaceous diving beetles
Water striders
Mayfly nymphs
Caddisfly larvaeNeed a hand?
Found it in your lake?
Send us a photo and we will identify it and tell you what it means for your lake.
Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596