Tipulinae is a subfamily of large crane flies. There are 476 species in 32 genera of Tipulinae worldwide, at least 83 species in 8 genera in North America north of Mexico, and at least 51 species in at least 5 genera in Minnesota.

Photo by Alfredo Colon

Description

Tipulinae, as the common name indicates, are large crane flies.

The paired, finger-like, sensory appendages attached to the mouth (palps) have 4 segments. The terminal segment is very long, longer than the first three segments combined. The snout (rostrum) is very short and has a beak-like point (nasus) that is usually distinct. The antennae have 13 segments.

On almost all species, the wings are more than ⅜″ long. On most species they are much larger. The first subcostal vein Sc₁ is incomplete or missing. The anterior cubital (CuA) vein is slightly curved upward just before branching into the CuA₁ and CuA₂ veins.


Distribution
		Sources 7, 24, 27, 30, 82.
12/26/2024


Taxonomy
Order	Diptera (flies)
Suborder	Nematocera (long-horned flies)
Infraorder	Tipulomorpha (crane flies)
Superfamily	Tipuloidea (typical crane flies)
Family	Tipulidae (large crane flies)

Subordinate Taxa
Genus Austrotipula Genus Brachypremna Genus Brithura Genus Clytocosmus (Alpine crane flies) Genus Dolichopeza Genus Elnoretta Genus Euvaldiviana Genus Goniotipula Genus Holorusia Genus Hovapeza Genus Hovatipula Genus Idiotipula Genus Indotipula Genus Ischnotoma Genus Keiseromyia Genus Leptotarsus Genus Macgregoromyia Genus Megistocera Genus Nephrotoma (tiger crane flies) Genus Nigrotipula Genus Ozodicera Genus Platyphasia Genus Prionocera Genus Prionota Genus Ptilogyna Genus Scamboneura Genus Sphaerionotus Genus Tipula (common crane flies) Genus Tipulodina Genus Valdiviana Genus Zelandotipula

Synonyms


Common Names
This subfamily has no common name. The common name for the family Tipulidae is large crane flies, and it is applied here for convenience.

Glossary

Palp

Short for pedipalp. A segmented, finger-like process of an arthropod; one is attached to each maxilla and two are attached to the labium. They function as sense organs in spiders and insects, and as weapons in scorpions. Plural: palpi or palps.

Rostrum

The stiff, beak-like projection of the carapace or prolongation of the head of an insect, crustacean, or cetacean.


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Alfredo Colon


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