Crane flies, often mistaken for giant mosquitoes due to their size and slender legs, are a common sight in many regions. While their adult forms are known for their delicate, almost ethereal appearance, their larvae, often called leatherjackets, lead a more subterranean existence. A frequent question that arises when observing these insects is: What Do Crane Flies Eat? It’s a question that delves into the different life stages of these creatures and their surprisingly varied diets.
The Diet of Adult Crane Flies: Nectar and Little Else
Adult crane flies, with their fragile bodies and long legs, are often seen fluttering around lights or resting on walls. Contrary to the popular myth that they prey on mosquitoes (earning them nicknames like “mosquito hawks” or “skeeter eaters”), adult crane flies actually have a very limited diet, and some species don’t eat at all in their adult stage.
For those species that do feed as adults, their meals primarily consist of nectar from flowers and plant juices. Their mouthparts are not designed for biting or piercing; instead, they are adapted for lapping up liquids. This means you might find them near blooming flowers, gently extracting nectar to fuel their short adult lives, which are mainly focused on reproduction. Their feeding habits as adults are so minimal that they cause virtually no impact on gardens or landscapes.
Alt text: Adult crane fly with long legs and delicate wings resting on a green plant leaf, illustrating their gentle nature and potential feeding on plant juices.
What Crane Fly Larvae (Leatherjackets) Eat: A More Varied Menu
The larval stage of the crane fly, known as leatherjackets, is where the real feeding happens, and it’s significantly different from the adult diet. Leatherjackets live in the soil or in aquatic environments depending on the species, and they have a much broader menu.
In terrestrial environments, leatherjackets are known to feed on:
- Roots of plants: This can include grass roots, making them a potential lawn pest in high numbers. They chew on roots just below the soil surface, which can damage lawns and other vegetation.
- Decaying organic matter: They play a role in breaking down dead leaves, grass, and other organic material in the soil, contributing to nutrient cycling.
- Small insects and invertebrates: Some species of leatherjackets are also carnivorous and may consume small insects, larvae, and other invertebrates found in the soil.
In aquatic environments, crane fly larvae may feed on:
- Algae and diatoms: These microscopic organisms are a food source for some aquatic leatherjacket species.
- Decomposing plant material: Similar to their terrestrial counterparts, aquatic larvae also help break down organic matter in their environment.
- Other small aquatic organisms: Some aquatic species may also be predatory, feeding on other small aquatic invertebrates.
Alt text: Close-up of crane fly larvae, also known as leatherjackets, showing their cylindrical shape and brown color, highlighting their role as root feeders in soil.
Are Crane Flies Pests? Considering Their Diet
While adult crane flies are essentially harmless and even beneficial in some cases (through pollination when they feed on nectar), the larvae can sometimes be considered minor pests, particularly in lawns. Heavy infestations of leatherjackets can lead to noticeable damage to turfgrass as they feed on the roots. However, in most natural settings, they are a part of the ecosystem, contributing to decomposition and nutrient cycling.
It’s important to remember that crane flies are not mosquito predators. Their gentle adult diet and the more varied diet of their larvae are quite distinct from the blood-sucking habits of mosquitoes. Understanding what crane flies eat helps to dispel myths and provides a clearer picture of their role in the environment. In conclusion, adult crane flies primarily consume nectar and plant juices or may not feed at all, while crane fly larvae (leatherjackets) have a more diverse diet consisting of roots, decaying matter, and sometimes small invertebrates, depending on their habitat and species.
