CRANE-FLY

More commonly known round these 'ere parrz as the "Daddy Long Legs", scientific name of Tipula paludosa, the second most feared spindly creature to enter our houses, I suppose, after the House Spider.

Other common names have been applied to the Crane-Fly, especially in North America, including, mosquito hawks, mosquito eaters (or skeeter eaters) (they do NOT eat mozzies though) , gallinippers, gollywhoppers, and jimmy spinners. NB. I should point out here, that Americans call (what we call) Harvestman (arachnids), "Daddy Long Legs". I think thats correct. I'm sure my sister will correct me if I'm wrong.

I was just mentioning in my previous post how Daddy Long Legs are emerging later than normal, and I put it down to a lack of rain in the past few weeks. It turns out that this would be a factor, but once again, a driving force, possibly the significant driving force behind the late emergence of our autumn Craneflies is.... you've guessed it - Climate Change. (NB. Note how Climate change has no trademark - unlike Global Warming TM).

We have 350 species of Crane Fly here in the UK, present most of the warmer months, though Tipula paludosa is our most encountered Crane-Fly, emerging en masse around October time.
There are approximately 14,000 species of Crane-Fly worldwide though, making this family the most numerous (in terms of species numbers) family of True Flies, (order Diptera).
When I say emerging, the adults only live for a few days - most of the Crane-Fly's life cycle is spent underground, nibbling grass roots as the infamous "Leatherjackets".


This one I photographed in the lower paddock, resting just an inch or two from my Diadem (Cross) Spider's orb web.
Crazy fool.