Crane Fly Larvae

Statistics

Taxonomic suborder: Tipulidae

Length: up to 3 cm

Average life span: 8 to 10 months

 

 

 

 

When To See

September to June

Photo credit: naturespot.org, Iain Reid, Anna Ballenger

Habitat

Crane fly larvae are found in all kinds of freshwater semi-aquatic environments. Depending on the species, they are laid in water or underground in high moisture environments such as mosses or along water edges. They remain in the water or buried for around 8 months and pupate underground where they emerge as adults. Throughout summer they emerge as adults at staggered times and live only for 10-15 days before laying eggs.

How To Identify

The crane fly larva is about 3 cm in length and is tubular in shape with many segments. On the posterior end there are fleshy projections. There are no legs on the larva and the body is a white/ grey colour with some transparency.

Seen It?

Been kicking about in your local river and come across one of these invertebrates? Not sure? Share it with us at trust@forthriverstrust.org, we enjoy chatting about inverts with you.

Excellent video sent in to us by Anna Ballenger

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