Crane Flies - The Australian Museum

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Fast Facts

• Classification Family Tipulidae Infraorder Tipulomorpha Order Diptera Class Insecta Subphylum Uniramia Phylum Arthopoda Kingdom Animalia
• Number of Species 800
• Size Range 2 mm - 60 mm

Introduction

Crane flies are the largest family of flies in Australia.

Identification

This group of flies shares its other name with the Daddy Long-legs Spider, however they are not remotely related. Crane flies look like giant mosquitoes with their long skinny legs and long wings but are quite harmless and do not bite, sting, or suck blood.

Habitat

Crane flies live in urban areas, and forests and woodlands. They commonly occur in Sydney in moist environments such as urban gardens and woodlands because the larvae need moisture to survive. Some larvae are aquatic while others get enough moisture from the soil or mud.

Distribution

Crane flies are found throughout Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Life history cycle

Depending on the species and environmental conditions, the life cycle of crane flies is variable. The larvae can live for up to a year but adults only a few days or weeks.

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Also in this section

• Giant female scale insects and bird-of-paradise flies
• Fiery Skimmer
• Cicada - Superfamily Cicadoidea
• Mosquitoes
• Cherrynose Cicada
• Why most animals are insects
• Peacock Carpenter Bee
• Reed bees
• Termite Assassin Bug
• Original name: Cisseis viridiaurea Macleay, 1872
• False Garden Mantid
• Australian Carpet Beetles

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