Master Gardeners of Ventura County
University of California
Master Gardeners of Ventura County

Posts Tagged: Tipulidae

Not a 'Mosquito Hawk'

Some folks call them "bugsy" or "mosquito hawks" or "skeeter eaters" "flying daddy longlegs." They may look like Texas-sized mosquitoes but they're not mosquitoes. Neither do they eat mosquitoes. They're crane flies in the order Diptera, family...

A crane fly lands on a stucco wall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A crane fly lands on a stucco wall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A crane fly lands on a stucco wall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A resting crane fly. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A resting crane fly. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A resting crane fly. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 9:33 PM
Tags: crane flies (4), Diptera (2), Tipulidae (5)

Crane Flies: Slender and Long-Legged

Some folks call them "mosquito hawks" or "skeeter eaters" or "blood suckers." They're not. None of the above. Crane flies, in the family Tipulidae, don't prey on mosquitoes and they don't suck blood.  These slender, long-legged insects remind...

Crane fly resting on a stucco wall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Crane fly resting on a stucco wall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Crane fly resting on a stucco wall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

From above, the crane fly looks like all legs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
From above, the crane fly looks like all legs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

From above, the crane fly looks like all legs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 10:23 PM
Tags: crane fly (5), mosquito hawks (3), Tipulidae (5)

Long and Gangly

The crane fly is as long-legged and slender as a runway model, but as gangly as a teenager.The insect, from the family Tipulidae, is sometimes called daddy long-legs (not!) or a skeeter eater (not!). They don't eat mosquitoes and they don't bite. The...

Crane fly resting on salvia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Crane fly resting on salvia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Crane fly resting on salvia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Tags: crane fly (5), Tipulidae (5)

Not Your Basic Giant Mosquito

It looks like a giant mosquito. But it isn't. It's a crane fly (family Tipulidae), also known as a "mosquito hawk." It's a slender, long-legged insect that cats  like to target.  Our cat, Xena the Warrior Princess, loves to bat...

Crane fly
Crane fly

CRANE FLY, also known as a "mosquito hawk," nestles among the blades of grass. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Tags: crane fly (5), mosquito hawk (2), Tipulidae (5)

Gollywhoppers in Love

He didn't bring her flowers. They were already sharing a sunflower leaf. He didn't bring her candy. They'd already dined on nectar. It was Labor Day and the two crane flies looked quite friendly in our bee friendly garden. More than friendly. I...

The crane fly is sometimes called a mosquito hawk or a gollywhopper.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The crane fly is sometimes called a mosquito hawk or a gollywhopper.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

These two crane flies, also known as mosquito hawks, are in love. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
These two crane flies, also known as mosquito hawks, are in love. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Focus Area Tags: Environment

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