European Crane Fly(Tipula paludosa)Common Name: European Crane Fly/marsh crane fly
Latin Name: Tipula paludosa
Appearance:
European crane flies have six long legs and are roughly a half-inch long.
A dark-colored band on the wing’s leading edge adjacent to a light-colored band distinguishes adult European crane flies. The remainder of the wing is colored, which helps differentiate them from certain local species.
European crane fly eggs are black and oval and may be found near the soil surface.
The larvae are gray-brown and worm-like. The skin of larvae is rough, with visible veins.
The empty pupal cases, which look like little grey-black twigs, can be seen on low grass.
Host plant:
The European crane fly larvae also feed on beet, potato, corn (maize), other garden vegetables, ornamentals and nursery trees – young plants are most susceptible.
Territory:
European crane flies are native to northwestern Europe. It has traditionally been a turf pest in areas with a maritime climate in North America.
Damages caused by European Crane Fly:
During foliar feeding, the larvae can scalp lawns and destroy root systems. Lawns that have been damaged may appear yellow or have bare patches. Crane-fly larvae can harm cereals and produce crops, nursery stocks, bare root and container stock, and flowers. The most severe T. paludosa damage was reported in late spring. Furthermore, certain natural predators, such as birds and skunks, may cause lawn disruption when feeding larvae in the grass. Natural predators that feed on larvae and swarms of mature adult crane flies may become a problem for homeowners.
Life History and Habits:
European crane flies have one generation every year. Adults emerge in various places during September. Adult females mate and deposit eggs within 24 hours of hatching. From the starting of September until the middle of October, eggs can be found in the soil, both on the surface and up to 1 cm deep. A female can lay between 200 to 300 eggs. The egg hatches after 10-14 days. In the fall, they go through 3-4 instar molts and usually overwinter as third or fourth instars. Later in the spring, the bigger instars spend the day in the soil (1-3 cm deep) and feed on the grass blades at night.
