Antlered Crane Fly (Tanyptera dorsalis) seen in our House – Looks like a giant mosquito but they are not mosquitos. They are completely harmless.
Although they are related to mosquitos, they are actually flies. In fact, adult crane flies don’t feed at all.
They are highly sexually dimorphic and have beautiful antennae which look like the antlers of a deer.
The larvae of crane flies are known to eat mosquito larvae. They are usually found in and around water bodies. Adults sometimes fly inside houses. But there is no need to panic or be alarmed. They do not harm humans and do not bite.
In colloquial speech, crane flies are sometimes known as “mosquito hawks” or “daddy longlegs“. The larvae of crane flies are known commonly as leatherjackets.
Popular Misconceptions
Despite widely held beliefs that adult crane flies (mosquito hawks) prey on mosquito populations, the adult crane fly is anatomically incapable of killing or consuming other insects.
Although the adults of some species may feed on nectar, the adults of many species have such short lifespans that they do not eat at all.
Ecological Importance
Larvae can be important in the soil ecosystem because they process organic material and increase microbial activity.
Larvae and adults are also valuable prey items for many animals, including insects, spiders, fish, birds and mammals.