Short-lived-adults
Guides
Deuterophlebiidae
Mountain Midges
Deuterophlebiidae is a monotypic family of Diptera containing the single genus Deuterophlebia, considered the most plesiomorphic extant dipteran family based on morphological and molecular evidence. Commonly known as mountain midges, these insects inhabit cold, fast-flowing streams across the Holarctic region. Adults possess striking morphology including extremely long antennae in males, broad fan-shaped wings, and highly reduced mouthparts. Larvae are specialized for life in torrential waters with reversible crocheted pseudopods for attachment to smooth stones. The family exhibits a complex life cycle with extended larval and pupal periods and extremely brief adult longevity lasting only a few hours.
Tipulidae
Large Crane Flies, Crane Flies
Tipulidae is a large family of true flies in the order Diptera, comprising over 4,200 described species in more than 30 genera. Members are commonly known as crane flies or large crane flies, characterized by their elongated bodies and exceptionally long, slender legs. Adults are typically short-lived and often do not feed; their primary purpose is reproduction. Larvae occupy diverse moist habitats including soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, and aquatic environments, where most feed on decaying organic matter. The family has a fossil record extending to the Late Jurassic.
DipteraNematoceracrane-fliesdecomposerssaprophagousshort-lived-adultsmating-swarmsturfgrass-pestsharmless-to-humansworldwide-distributionLate-Jurassic-fossilsCharles-Paul-Alexandermaxillary-palps13-antennal-segmentsLimoniidaePediciidaemosquito-hawk-misnomerdaddy-longlegs-confusionleatherjacketsaquatic-larvaeterrestrial-larvaespring-emergencelight-attractionwingless-snow-crane-flies-in-genus-Chionea-(now-Limoniidae)