The large, gangly insect known as the “mosquito hawk” or “skeeter eater” often causes alarm due to its appearance, but this flying creature is entirely harmless to people and pets. This insect is a Crane Fly, a member of the family Tipulidae. Unlike the mosquitoes it resembles, the adult crane fly poses no threat, dedicating its brief life to reproduction rather than feeding or biting.
Identifying the “Mosquito Hawk”
The Crane Fly is classified within the insect order Diptera, which includes all true flies, such as mosquitoes, though they belong to different families. Adult Crane Flies are characterized by an extremely slender body and stilt-like legs that are often twice the length of their bodies, giving them a distinctly awkward flight pattern. They are significantly larger than a typical mosquito, with some species reaching up to 1.4 inches in body length and a wingspan of over 2 inches. This combination of long legs and a delicate frame leads to the frequent misidentification as a giant, potentially dangerous mosquito.
Addressing the Harm: Safety for Humans and Pets
Despite their large size and intimidating appearance, adult Crane Flies cannot bite or sting humans or animals. Most adult Crane Flies have mouthparts that are either vestigial or adapted only for gently sipping water or nectar. They lack the piercing and sucking proboscis that mosquitoes use to puncture skin and draw blood. Furthermore, Crane Flies are not involved in the transmission of any diseases. The adult stage is primarily focused on mating and egg-laying, often lasting only 10 to 15 days, with many species not feeding at all during this short period.
The Larval Stage and Ecological Impact
The Crane Fly’s lifecycle includes a larval stage, which is the period when the insect does most of its feeding and growth. These larvae are commonly called “leatherjackets” because of their tough, gray-brown, cylindrical skin. Unlike the adults, the larvae have chewing mouthparts and feed primarily on decaying organic matter, roots, and fungi in moist soil. This diet makes them important decomposers, assisting in the nutrient cycling of the soil.
Under certain conditions, dense populations of leatherjackets can shift their feeding to the roots of turfgrass, causing minor damage to lawns, especially in wet environments. The widespread belief that the Crane Fly is a “mosquito hawk” that preys on adult mosquitoes is a myth contradicted by scientific observation. The adult insect is anatomically incapable of hunting or consuming other flying insects. While some carnivorous species of Crane Fly larvae may consume small aquatic invertebrates, including mosquito larvae, the adult’s primary ecological role is reproductive, and its impact on the mosquito population is negligible. The entire species, in both its larval and adult forms, serves as a food source for a variety of wildlife, including birds, fish, and spiders, contributing to the natural food chain.