common crane flies

Tipula is a very common, very widespread, and very large genus of crane flies known as common crane flies. It occurs worldwide on every continent except Antarctica. There are about 2,400 Tipula species in 40 subgenera worldwide, more than 480 species in 27 subgenera in North America north of Mexico, and at least 38 species in 11 subgenera in Minnesota.

Common crane flies are found in humid areas with wet ground, often near streams or lakes.

Swarms of males fly above a bush or treetop in a mating “dance”. When a male seizes a female, the pair lands on foliage to mate.

The larvae feed on decaying vegetation, fungi, roots, foliage, and occasionally animal matter. Adults are short-lived and do not feed. They live just a few days, long enough to mate and lay eggs.

Common crane fly adults are 5⁄16″ to 29⁄16″ (8 to 65 mm) in length and have a wingspan of up to 3″ (75 cm). However, most species are no more than 1″ (25 mm) long. They are usually brown or grayish-brown, or dull yellow. The body is long and slender, the legs are very long and thread-like, and the overall appearance is of a large mosquito.

The antennae are short and have 13 segments. Each segment has a whorl of hairs at the base.

The thorax has a deep V-shaped groove above.

The wings are clear or tinted brownish. The discal cell is present and cell 4 is petiolate. The radial sector (Rs) vein is usually long, the subcostal (Sc) vein ends far from the base of the Rs vein, and the M₃ vein rises from the M₄ vein.

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83.

Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (Bell Herbarium) shows the genus Tipula occurring in every county in Minnesota. However, it lists the genus Tipula in the family Cecidomyiidae (gall and forest midges). The map at left does not include Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas records.

Location: Woodbury, MN