Leatherjacket
Guides
Tipula
Common Crane Flies, Crane Flies, Daddy Longlegs
Tipula is a large genus of crane flies in the family Tipulidae, containing over 2,000 species distributed worldwide. Adults are characterized by elongated bodies, extremely long legs, and clear or brownish wings, with body lengths typically 15–20 mm. Larvae, known as 'leatherjackets' due to their tough cuticle, are soil-dwelling and feed on plant roots and decaying organic matter. Several species are significant agricultural pests in pastures and grasslands.
Tipula oleracea
marsh crane fly, common crane fly
Tipula oleracea is a crane fly species native to the Palaearctic region that has been introduced to parts of the Nearctic and Neotropics. Adults are typically greyish with wings 18–28 mm long, and are active in two flight 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.
Tipula paludosa
European crane fly, leatherjacket
Tipula paludosa is a crane fly species native to northwestern Europe that has become an invasive agricultural pest in North America. The larvae, known as leatherjackets, cause significant damage to lawns, pastures, and cereal crops by feeding on roots and underground stems. Adults are short-lived, do not feed, and are characterized by their long, thin legs and grayish-brown bodies. The species has a strictly annual life cycle with precise seasonal timing of each developmental stage.