Tipula Crane Flies Tipula species

Tipula Cranefly Female crane flies have pointed abdomens for laying eggs underground.
Tipula Common Cranefly Male crane flies have a clubbed tail.
Crane Flies are known as "Daddy Long Legs" in view of their disproportionately long legs (Cellar Spiders and Harvestmen are also called Daddy Long Legs). Crane Flies are harmless and feed very little (nectar/pollen) as adults. Crane Fly larvae are the hated Leatherjackets which live underground eating plant roots. Tipula species are one of the most common UK/European genera of Crane Fly.
Tipula maxima Cranefly
Tipula maxima Cranefly
Tipula maxima Cranefly
The Tipula maxima is the largest Crane Fly in the UK and has distinctive, attractively-marked wings. Its leg span is about 4 inches (100mm).
Common or Marsh Cranefly
Common or Marsh Cranefly
Common Cranefly
The Common or Marsh Crane Fly, Tipula oleracea, above, as its name indicates is the most usual Crane Fly seen. It has a faint dark line along the body and greenish eyes. There is a burnt brown leading edge to the wings. The female's wings are long enough to cover her abdomen.
Tipula paludosa Cranefly
Tipula paludosa Cranefly
Tipula paludosa Craneflies coupled
Tipula paludosa, above, looks similar to T. olercea but has different antennae segments and the female has shorter wings which don't cover her abdomen if closed.
Craneflies coupled
Craneflies coupled
Female Cranefly
She moves her pointed ovipositor out of the way. Crane flies are attracted to light during moth surveys.
Tipula pagana Cranefly
Tipula pagana Cranefly
Tipula pagana Cranefly
The female of Tipula pagana, above, is virtually wingless, with just vestiges of wings and can't fly. The male is fully winged.
Tipula fulvipennis Cranefly T. fulvipennis has a central black spot on each wing; this male also has mites on his thorax.
Tipula Cranefly Tipula species. The name "crane" fly is after the crane birds with long legs.
Tipula pagana Cranefly Female T. pagana