Crane Look like Texas Size Mosquitoes

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service — Galveston County Office

March 14, 2018

Dr. William Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County Office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Visit PHOTO CREDIT: Dr. William M. Johnson his website at http://aggie- Homeowners across the county have reported an abundance of flying in- horticulture.tamu.edu/ sects known as crane flies. Despite similarities, crane flies are neither mos- galveston. quitoes nor hawks. News column printed in the Galveston Daily When does spring arrive tain laurel shrubs. For me as a horticultur- News, The Post, and here in Galveston County? ist it’s all of the above other Galveston County That depends on whom For others, it’s the first and then some as I am Newspapers. you ask and how they sighting of bluebonnets an entomologist by way gauge the arrival of and Indian paintbrush of local necessity and by spring. For some garden- flowers along the road- several undergraduate ers, the distinctive flush of ways. (I have been notic- classes under the tute- flowers produced by Tex- ing a patch of Indian lage Dr. William Drew, as redbud trees is a sure paintbrush flowers along Professor of sign. For others, it’s the Duroux Road in La at Oklahoma State Uni- delightful smell of grape Marque just south of the versity. Entomology is chewing gum produced by Gulf Freeway.) the study of and blooms from Texas moun- the that I watch Page 2 Crane Flies Look like Texas Size Mosquitoes for as a harbinger of spring is the Crane flies in this area are tan in that their contribution to our crane . color. The body of a crane fly ecosystem is largely beneficial adult measures about ½ inch in because the larvae feed on de- Yes, you read that correctly. I use length. Crane flies have almost caying-organic matter and thus crane flies showing up this time of absurdly long legs that can assist in the biological decompo- year as a signal that spring has measure over 3 inches across sition process. sprung. I can now get into full from the tip of one leg to the tip spring gardening mode by planting of another. Upcoming Seminars some veggies and mowing the lawn (well, what’s left of my St. Crane flies are very fragile crea- WHAT: Tomato Stress Manage- Augustine lawn grass after the tures, and although they come ment freezing temperatures last equipped with six legs, it’s very WHEN: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., Satur- month). common to find them missing day, March 17 one or more legs. Larvae are a SPEAKER: Master Gardener Ira I get numerous inquiries about the grayish-brown color and may be Gervais overabundance of giant mosquito- found in compost piles, in the like insects occurring in local land- soil or moist environments WHAT: Home Composting scapes during this time of year. I where they feed on decaying WHEN: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Satur- can identify this insect without organic matter. day, March 17 even seeing it, based solely on the SPEAKER: Master Gardener Jim description of sometimes appre- Some residents report clusters Gilliam hensive residents. of crane flies flying about the Both seminars will be conducted front door of their home, at the Galveston County AgriLife The initial question goes some- awaiting an opportunity to gain Extension Office located in Car- thing like this: “What is that big entry into the home with you. bide Park (4102-B Main Street) insect with the really long legs Crane flies are strongly attracted in La Marque. Pre-registration that looks like a giant Texas mos- to outdoor lights at night includ- required by e-mail quito?” ing porch lights. ([email protected]) or phone (281-309-5065). Before I can answer, a follow up I normally have the challenge of question is often asked: “Do they coming up with a digital photo bite?” to accompany my news col- umns. Sometimes this is a prob- These mosquito-like flies are lem but not so for this week’s called crane flies. Crane flies in- column. All I had to do was step deed look like Texas-sized mosqui- outside of my office in Carbide toes and have been incorrectly Park. Crane flies were so abun- called mosquito hawks. (The term dant a few days ago that several "mosquito hawk" generally refers flew into my car for a free ride to dragonflies.) home to meet their cousins. Adult crane flies live for only a few The main thing to remember is days and do not feed at all or feed that the immature and adult on nectar from flowers. stages of crane flies are harm- less. In fact, their biology is such