Crane flies may, at times, are termed as daddy-long-legs. This is because they possess long legs and these long legs helps them in various circumstances. When a predator tries to grasp them, they tend to get hold of one leg, which offers them great support. And with that, a predator won’t be able to get it easily.
These flies are found all over the world and there are many species. Since the crane flies are found all over the world, you may have probably seen them hanging on one leg. You cannot notice them if you are not keen. Thus, to be sure that the crane flies usually hang on one leg, you must investigate them properly.
So, why do crane flies hang by one leg? It’s because it’s a biological defect. They don’t do it intentionally but it happens automatically. The defect happens because their legs are unable to bear it’s own body weight and it becomes weak. After fеw days, their legs spreads abnormally making them rеѕt іn one leg or absurd positions.
Little Bit About Crane Flies
These small insects have body sizes that can range differently according to each species. But they have very long legs up to 9 centimeters. They usually have a gray-brown color. Crane-fly leads to a natural lifestyle. They like to settle in dark, damp rooms, but in residential buildings, these flies prefer dry, warm places near windows. They sometimes feed on flies and other small insects. Their life expectancy is very short, and they neither bite nor sting.
Crane Flies- Hanging by One Leg
Do these flies hang on one leg intentionally, or it is their nature? Many arguments have been going on whether the crane flies have a natural defect of hanging on one leg or not. But the truth is that these flies are naturally made to hang on one leg. This is a biological defect, and they do that automatically.
As the name ‘daddy long-legs’ suggests, they have very long legs, which are also weak. As such, the legs cannot support the body. The legs can’t support the body weight, which forces them to hang by one leg. As seen after a short time of landing, they appear to be in an awkward position. Their legs often spread abnormally, which makes them rest in an absurd posture.
Main Aim Of Crane Flies And Their Differences Compared To Mosquitoes
Crane flies have a very distinct role as compared to other flies. They always do reproduce and finding mates. That is the main work of crane flies in their whole life. Crane-fly is both a predator and prey. It sometimes eats other species, and this is where it becomes a predator. It is also a prey since it gets eaten by other predators. The primary purpose of crane flies is reproducing, which is why there are so many species.
Crane flies are one of the giant flies worldwide. There are very many species of these flies together with their subspecies ranging from approximately more than 16,000 species. So, you can imagine how many of these flies are available. They are, indeed, many. These flies remain to be mysterious to human beings. How they usually survive with their weak legs is a mystery. But it is their nature. They are not very big, but what distinguishes them is their long legs.
The crane flies are harmless. As compared to mosquitoes, they do not bite. Their main feature is long, narrow wings. You can easily confuse them with mosquitoes, but they lack an elongated mouth-part of a mosquito for sucking. For adult crane flies, they have the main task of mating. That is the work in its whole life!
The crane flies are the most harmless, more so to human beings. As for mosquitoes, they are very dangerous to people and typically lead to sicknesses. Thus, no person needs to worry about them being harmful. The larvae eat some of the animals for it to survive.
Human beings should not worry about the crane flies as they are harmless to livestock or even pets. The crane flies are not harmful to either the pets or livestock kept at home. The worst thing that they do is flying in your eye or even in your mouth. It can’t kill anyone and is not a bad thing at all as compared to being bitten. Thus, you will live peacefully with a crane fly in your home but not with a mosquito.
Why Crane Flies Hang By One Leg- The Major Reason Why They Do So
Crane flies, as known, have very long legs as compared to their body sizes. The legs, as such, are unable to support the body weight. You may be getting to watch these flies as they like appearing around the pond areas. If you are keen, you may notice their front legs extend forward, while the middle ones hang down.
The hind legs, however, extend backward. Now, this is a crane fly when it is standing. While landing, these flies spread all of six legs). It, therefore, forms something like a hexagon. But the body-weight is more for its weak and thin legs to support. The legs cannot bear body weight, and this is where it is forced to cripple itself. This is the situation when it hangs by one leg.
It is, therefore, true that crane flies usually hangs by one leg automatically. And this is a biological defect that makes it behave that way. There is no other fly that hangs typically by one leg, and this is only for crane flies. They are very different from other fly species.
Sometimes these crane flies indeed bring a nuisance to human life. They are often confused with a mosquito since they look alike and are typically found indoors. It is seen as a harmful fly, which is not valid. The main advantage of these flies is that they do not bite, which may lead to diseases.
However, when these insects are compared to mosquitoes, they differ a lot. They do not bite and, as such, are harmless. Human beings should not worry about them as they are not hazardous. They do not have mouth-parts for stinging. Also, they do not eat. They only eat when in the larvae stage. They have a shorter life span.
The crane flies usually come in varied colors. Since there are many species of this type of insect, they have different attractive tones. One of the most common features of these flies is that their legs are not fragile. If you intend to pull off its legs, you may struggle to achieve that.
Facts about Crane Flies
- Crane flies that have matured are either black or red. It all depends on the species the insect comes from.
- These flies may, at times, be mistaken with the mosquitoes. But, when you want to know the difference, the size will tell you. They are larger.
- Crane flies have transparent wings that are either brown or yellow. Some crane flies fold the wings while others extend them.
Are Crane Flies Harmful?
The crane flies are only harmful in the larvae state. At this stage, they may somehow cause damage. After hatching, it eats grass and roots while leaving brown patches on the ground. When they become adults, they cause a nuisance in homes. They fly in homes bumping on home walls, and this annoys residents. They create a lot of disturbances in homes, making unnecessary noises.
Why Do Crane Flies Have Long Legs?
The question that most of us get stuck in is why these insects have elongated legs. This is a great advantage to these creatures. Those long legs help them much. And when they grab a place, it is not easy to get hold of them. Even a predator can’t easily get them as they get hold of the legs.
These insects like warm places like in the houses, that is why they usually get into homes. But they typically lay their eggs outside. When a person says that crane flies are dangerous, that is a myth. The fact that crane flies are harmless remains. Only the nuisance they cause is their only lousy effect.
Crane-fly spends most of its life as larvae. It mostly looks like a worm at that time, and as time goes by, it continues growing. At this stage, they become a problem more so to farmers as they destroy crops. This is the only stage that the crane fly is harmful to human beings. They tend to damage many crops’ roots.
They are sometimes seen hanging from a spider web upside-down. Crane-flies always hold onto the web threads with only their legs. These insects are beautiful, and you may love watching them. They are examples of a ‘true fly.’ Like any other insect, it has three parts of the body with six legs, also with two wings.
To sum up, it is apparent that crane flies regularly hang by one leg. And it is because these flies have weak and elongated legs that cannot entirely withhold the body weight. The body weight is more for its legs to support. It is a biological defect that makes them hang by one leg. And this happens automatically.
Welcome to my blog. I have been doing pest control for years since my house, garden and pets were always attacked by various kinds of pests and as a result I had to know proper pest control techniques that works. In this blog I share all the tips and tricks that I know and I hope you’ll find it helpful.