Day 303: No, it's not the Mozzie from Hell. It's a Crane Fly, Tipula pubera to be precise, with no common name. It's easy to identify this one because no other Crane Fly with patterned wings can compare to it in size. Tipula pubera can attain a body length of an inch and a quarter! Most members of Tipula have very short lifespans, generally under two weeks. Their larvae feed on rotting vegetation, playing an essential role in the decomposition process. The adults do not feed as a general rule, although some occasionally sip nectar. Crane flies are harmless, although they are sometimes considered pests when they populate cultivated lawns or grassy sports fields.
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