Cranefly  (Tipula paludosa)

Description

This species of cranefly, or daddy-long-legs is one of the most common craneflies in Britain (1). The larvae, known as 'leatherjackets' are notorious pests of grass and agricultural crops, and are so called because they have a tough, leathery outer layer. The adults are familiar insects, often entering houses towards the end of summer (3); they have a slender, pale brown body, and large greyish wings with a brown front margin (1). The prominent dangling legs have earned the species the common name 'cranefly', as they are reminiscent of cranes, long-legged birds (3). Like all flies, this species has one pair of true membranous wings, the second pair of wings are modified drumstick-like appendages known as 'halteres', which aid in balancing (4).

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