Tipula oleracea

Linnaeus, 1758

marsh crane fly, common crane fly

Tipula oleracea is a crane fly native to the Palaearctic region that has been introduced to parts of the Nearctic and Neotropics. are typically greyish with wings 18–28 mm long, and are active in two periods: early summer (April–June, peaking May–June) and late summer (August–October). The species is notable for its larval 'leatherjackets' which can reach densities of up to 400 per square meter in agricultural soils, causing damage to crops such as cabbage by feeding on roots and, at night, above-ground plant parts.

Ruhland, Grenzstr. 3, Kohlschnake im Wintergarten, Frühsommer, 10 by Wilhelm Zimmerling PAR. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Ruhland, Grenzstr. 3, Kohlschnake im Wintergarten, Frühsommer, 05 by Wilhelm Zimmerling PAR. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Ruhland, Grenzstr. 3, Kohlschnake im Wintergarten, Frühsommer, 11 by Wilhelm Zimmerling PAR. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tipula oleracea: /tɪˈpjuːlə oʊləˈreɪʃiə/

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

Identification

Distinguished from similar Tipula by: 13-segmented ; male tergite 9 with short projection broader at base than long, roundly bifurcated with blackish tips; female wings equal in length to ; sternal valves extending to about two-thirds length of with slightly clubbed cerci tips. Larvae are visually inseparable from T. paludosa but can be distinguished by isoelectric focusing (IEF), which reveals two major protein bands in T. oleracea versus one in T. paludosa within pH range 5–6.

Images

Habitat

Occurs in moist environments including wet meadows, gardens, and agricultural areas with loose, moist soil suitable for -laying. In its introduced North American range, has been found associated with turfgrass and putting greens, suggesting adaptability to managed landscapes.

Distribution

Native to the Palaearctic: Europe (excluding Finland and Latvia), North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia; eastern limit in Algeria), and parts of the Middle East. Introduced to the Nearctic: western North America from British Columbia to California, eastern North America from Michigan to New York and Quebec; and Neotropical: Ecuador. First reported in Utah in 2012 associated with turfgrass.

Seasonality

with two periods: early summer flies April–June (peak May–June); second generation flies August–October. form small swarms in evening hours close to the ground over meadows and fields, probably serving as pairing formations.

Diet

feed on liquid food such as nectar due to soft mouthparts. Larvae feed on decaying vegetable matter and delicate roots of plants; known to damage crops including cabbage, feeding on roots and at night on above-ground leaf tissue.

Host Associations

Brassica oleracea - crop pestlarvae damage cabbage and related crops
turfgrass - /pestassociated with putting greens and golf courses in introduced range

Life Cycle

Females lay up to 1,200 individually into loose, moist soil. Eggs are oval, slightly less than 1 mm, dark-colored, and hatch after about 15 days. Larvae pass through four instars over approximately four months (development time highly variable: 4–5 to 16–17 weeks at 21°C, averaging 8.8 weeks). Larval weight increases exponentially in first three instars, linearly in fourth. occurs in soil at depth of about 3.5 cm; pupal weight is approximately half maximum larval weight. Second overwinters as pupae until late spring or early summer. Total up to eight months. Males pupate approximately one week before females; sex ratio 1:1.

Behavior

form small swarms flying close to the ground over meadows and fields during evening hours, likely functioning as mating . Larvae feed nocturnally on above-ground plant parts.

Ecological Role

Larvae contribute to nutrient cycling through consumption of decaying vegetable matter. In agricultural systems, can function as a pest through root herbivory. In its introduced range, may compete with native tipulid .

Human Relevance

Agricultural pest: larval 'leatherjackets' can cause significant damage to crops, particularly brassicas, through root feeding and foliar damage. High larval densities (up to 400 per m²) enable mass attacks. Introduced in North America represent an of concern to turfgrass management.

Similar Taxa

Tipula paludosaLarvae visually inseparable; distinguished by isoelectric focusing (one protein band vs. two in T. oleracea) and (male genitalia structure differs)
Tipula czizekiSimilar male genitalia structure with sternite 9 almost to tergite 9; distinguished by specific details of tergite 9

More Details

Invasive Status

Considered in North America where it has been introduced to both western and eastern regions, and in Ecuador. First detection in Utah in 2012 on golf course putting greens represents range expansion into drier intermountain regions.

Population Density

Can achieve extremely high larval densities in favorable agricultural soils, with up to 400 larvae per square meter reported, enabling economically significant crop damage.

Taxonomic Note

Erroneously reported from Finland and Estonia in some literature; these records reflect misidentification or conflicting concepts rather than actual occurrence.