CRANE FLIES LOOK LIKE TEXAS SIZE MOSQUITOES

When does spring arrive here in Galveston County?
That depends on whom you ask and how they gauge the
arrival of spring. For some gardeners, the distinctive flush
of flowers produced by Texas redbud trees is a sure sign.
For others, it’s the delightful smell of grape chewing gum
produced by blooms from Texas mountain laurel shrubs.
For others, it’s the first sighting of bluebonnets and
Indian paintbrush flowers along the roadways. (I have
been noticing a patch of Indian paintbrush flowers
along Duroux Road in La Marque just south of the Gulf
Freeway.)
For me as a horticulturist it’s all of the above and then
some as I am an entomologist by way of local necessity
and by several undergraduate classes under the tutelage
Dr. William Drew, Professor of Entomology at Oklahoma
State University. Entomology is the study of insects and
the insect that I watch for as a harbinger of spring is the
crane fly.
Yes, you read that correctly. I use crane flies showing
up this time of year as a signal that spring has sprung. I
can now get into full spring gardening mode by planting
some veggies and mowing the lawn (well, what’s left of
my St. Augustine lawn grass after the freezing temperatures
last month).
I get numerous inquiries about the overabundance of
giant mosquito-like insects occurring in local landscapes
during this time of year. I can identify this insect without
even seeing it, based solely on the description of sometimes
apprehensive residents.
The initial question goes something like this: “What is
that big insect with the really long legs that looks like a
giant Texas mosquito?”
Before I can answer, a follow up question is often
asked: “Do they bite?”
These mosquito-like flies are called crane flies. Crane
flies indeed look like Texas-sized mosquitoes and have
been incorrectly called mosquito hawks. (The term “mosquito
hawk” generally refers to dragonflies.)
Adult crane flies live for only a few days and do not feed
at all or feed on nectar from flowers.
Crane flies in this area are tan in color. The body of a
crane fly adult measures about ½ inch in length. Crane
flies have almost absurdly long legs that can measure
over 3 inches across from the tip of one leg to the tip of
another.
Crane flies are very fragile creatures, and although
they come equipped with six legs, it’s very common
to find them missing one or more legs. Larvae are a
grayish-brown color and may be found in compost piles,
in the soil or moist environments where they feed on
decaying organic matter.
Some residents report clusters of crane flies flying
about the front door of their home, awaiting an opportunity
to gain entry into the home with you. Crane flies
are strongly attracted to outdoor lights at night including
porch lights.
I normally have the challenge of coming up with a digital
photo to accompany my news columns. Sometimes
this is a problem but not so for this week’s column. All I
had to do was step outside of my office in Carbide Park.
Crane flies were so abundant a few days ago that several
flew into my car for a free ride home to meet their
cousins.
The main thing to remember is that the immature and
adult stages of crane flies are harmless. In fact, their
biology is such that their contribution to our ecosystem is
largely beneficial because the larvae feed on decayingorganic
matter and thus assist in the biological decomposition
process.
Upcoming Seminars
WHAT: Tomato Stress Management
WHEN: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 17
SPEAKER: Master Gardener Ira Gervais
WHAT: Home Composting
WHEN: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 17
SPEAKER: Master Gardener Jim Gilliam
Both seminars will be conducted at the Galveston
County AgriLife Extension Office located in Carbide
Park (4102-B Main Street) in La Marque. Pre-registration
required by e-mail (galvcountymgs@gmail.com) or phone
(281-309-5065).
William Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston
County office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Visit his website at aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/
index.htm.