European Crane Fly

The life cycle of Tipula paludosa follows a seasonal pattern. The larvae hatch in mid-September and initially remain on the soil surface before moving deeper into the thatch and upper soil layers as they mature. During the winter, they remain underground and as the weather becomes warmer, they feed. Their feeding increases in spring. The larvae are an important food source for many birds, including crows. By mid-May, the larvae stop feeding, and enter a nonfeeding stage in June and go just below the soil surface, where they remain throughout the summer. In late August, the larvae pupate, and soon after, the adult crane flies emerge, and mate almost immediately. They then lay eggs in moist soil within 24 hours of emerging, which begins the cycle again. While the adult flies do not feed and have a lifespan of only about two weeks, their larvae are a serious ecological and economical threat to lawns, pastures, and crops.