Crane Fly Benefits and How to Attract Them

Chances are you’ve seen those giant mosquito-like insects hovering around your yard or garden at some point.

No need to panic—those are most likely crane flies. These insects are harmless to humans and beneficial to your surroundings.

Learn why you should welcome these fascinating flies and how to attract them to your yard.

Identification

Crane flies serve a good purpose. Also known as mosquito hawks or daddy longlegs, they sometimes feed on nectar and pollen [1].

The adults are long-legged insects that look like giant mosquitoes.

However, their larvae, leatherjackets, feed on decaying plant material. Some species, like carnivorous cranefly larvae, feed on mosquito larvae.

Other species have aquatic larvae that provide food for fish and other aquatic meat-eaters. Still, others eat roots, shoots, and leaves in your lawn.

Other common names for these creatures include tipple (insect), Jimmy spinner, or gallinipper.

Are Crane Flies Harmful?

These insects are harmless to humans or pets and do not sting or bite. Despite their long legs and awkward flying, crane flies want nothing to do with people.

They are not aggressive insects and tend to avoid confrontation. Though they may seem intimidating, craneflies mean no harm.

We have nothing to fear from these gentle giants peacefully flying through our yards and gardens.

The Benefits of Crane Flies

Crane flies are beneficial as they provide some environmental benefits. Though they can look menacing, they are harmless to humans and help control real mosquito populations.

1. Kill Mosquito Larvae

Some larvae eat mosquito larvae. This helps control mosquito populations naturally.

These mosquito eaters target mosquito larvae, reducing the number of mosquitoes that grow up to be biting adults.

2. Help Return Nutrients to the Soil

The larval stage of most crane fly species is spent in bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, or damp soil.

This larval phase can last up to three years [2]. These insects are helpful at this stage because they break down plant material and return nutrients to the soil.

3. Pollinators

Adults (especially males) feed on nectar and are therefore pollinators.

While they may help with some pollination [3], they are also an important food source for birds, bats, and other pollinators.

Attracting them to your yard builds a healthy ecosystem. It also boosts natural pest control and pollination. You can transform your outdoor space into a crane fly haven with a few simple steps.

How to Attract Crane Flies

To attract crane flies to your yard, create the ideal habitat and food sources they love. Here are some tips:

• Provide standing water. Crane flies need access to standing water to lay their eggs. A small pond, fountain, or rain barrel may work.
• Plant grass and flowers. The females also lay eggs in grass, lawns, and flowerbeds. So, let your lawn grow a bit longer and wilder to provide a habitat for crane fly larvae and pupae.
• Avoid pesticides. Crane flies are beneficial insects, so avoid using pesticides in your yard, which will kill them.
• Install outdoor lighting. These insects are often drawn to porch lights, lamp posts, and other outdoor lighting. Therefore, keep some lights on at night.
• Allow some areas of your lawn to remain damp at times. This will keep the soil moist as the females lay in the wet soil.
• Supply decaying plant matter. Jimmy spinners are also lured to spots with decaying leaves, grass clippings, compost, and rotting wood to feed on.

Meeting crane flies’ basic needs for food and habitat creates an ideal environment. By following these simple steps, you may be successful in luring them to your yard.

Anything Else That’s Worth Knowing?

Crane flies are weak fliers and tend to bump into things.

They can find their way into homes through open doors and other openings. In that case, gently capture indoor crane flies and release them outside.

Adult crane flies also have a short adult lifespan of only 10 to 15 days. During this time, their only goal is to mate and lay eggs. Females lay up to 300 eggs in their short lives.

Crane flies are found worldwide, with over 15,000 different species [4]. Though they vary in size, color, and specific habitat, they all share the same gangly, long-legged appearance.

Though adult crane flies themselves cause no harm, their awkward, gangly appearance can alarm some people. You could gain helpful pest control allies by learning about these amazing flies and making your yard welcoming.

Takeaway

Why not welcome crane flies to your yard? They offer many benefits and are easy to attract! Go ahead and give them a chance. You’ll be thankful later.

Picture via Flickr