Insect identifier · Often confused insects
How to identify a Crane fly
Tipula spp.
· Also called mosquito eater, daddy long legs fly, skeeter eater, giant mosquito
People search “crane fly” because it looks like something that bites. Crane fly (Tipula spp.) does not bite or sting people. Also called mosquito eater, daddy long legs fly, skeeter eater, giant mosquito.
A huge mosquito on the kitchen wall with dangling legs is almost always a crane fly.
What does a crane fly look like?
Crane fly is Large, often 15–25 mm body, very long legs. Colors: brown, gray. Marks: Very long fragile legs; One pair of wings; No biting beak; Often indoors after rain.
Crane fly is Large, often 15–25 mm body, very long legs. Colors: brown, gray. Marks: Very long fragile legs; One pair of wings; No biting beak; Often indoors after rain.
Identification marks
- Very long fragile legs
- One pair of wings
- No biting beak
- Often indoors after rain
Size: Large, often 15–25 mm body, very long legs
Colors: brown, gray
Where: both
Crane fly vs Gallinipper
A crane fly is the giant “mosquito” that does not bite. Gallinippers are large but they have a beak and they do bite.
- Gallinipper identification (Psorophora ciliata)
- Northern house mosquito identification (Culex pipiens)
- House centipede identification (Scutigera coleoptrata)
- Mayfly identification (Ephemeroptera)
- Damselfly identification (Zygoptera)
Range and season
Active spring and late summer, often at porch lights. Places: yard, house, woods. Continent-wide. Adults do not eat mosquitoes and do not bite.
Lawns, windows, and porch lights after rain.
Continent-wide. Adults do not eat mosquitoes and do not bite.
Spring and late summer, often at porch lights
Common questions
Do crane flies bite?
No. They have no biting mouthparts.
Do mosquito eaters eat mosquitoes?
No. That nickname is a myth. Larvae live in damp soil.
Crane fly vs mosquito?
Crane flies are much larger, with long dangling legs, and they do not bite.