Large Crane Flies

Tipulidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Infraorder: Tipulomorpha
Family: Tipulidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tipulidae: /tɪˈpjuːlɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Nephrotoma ferruginea by Javier Virués Ortega. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Orange Crane Fly (33965126864) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Megistocera longipennis by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Maekistocera-Kadavoor-2016-09-13-002 by
Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Nephrotoma ferruginea 374447425 by Conway Hawn. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Holorusia hespera - inat 76482158 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Tipulidae, commonly known as large crane flies, is a family in the order Diptera, consisting of over 4,200 species worldwide, primarily within the genus Tipula. They are characterized by their long legs and maxillary palps, and exhibit a variety of feeding habits across life stages.

Physical Characteristics

Crane flies are characterized by long legs, elongated bodies, and distinctively long maxillary palps. Males and females can be differentiated by the shape of their reproductive organs, and typically, the antennas of large crane flies have about 13 segments.

Identification Tips

A crane fly can be identified as a member of Tipulidae by examining the maxillary palps; if the fourth segment is longer than the combined lengths of the other three segments, it is likely a Tipulidae. The antennae will usually have 13 segments, distinguishing them from limoniid crane flies that generally have 14 or 16 segments.

Habitat

Crane flies occupy a variety of habitats, including areas on or under trees, and are found in almost every type of ecosystem.

Distribution

Tipulidae is common and widespread throughout the world, including North America.

Diet

Most larvae are herbivorous, while many adult species feed on sugary substances; some adults may not feed at all.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of crane flies includes larval, pupal, and adult stages.

Reproduction

Reproduction occurs through mating between males and females, with females typically laying eggs in or near suitable habitats for larvae.

Ecosystem Role

Crane flies play a role in ecosystems as herbivores during their larval stage and can serve as food for various predators as adults.

Evolution

The oldest fossils confidently assigned to Tipulidae are from the genus Tipunia, dating back to the Late Jurassic period.