Skip to main content
Today is World Environment Day!
Close

European crane fly

Tipula paludosa

Photo by Allen Hoof
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

47.3884, -122.17

Field Notes

Description:

flying insect

Habitat:

suburban area, mixed vegetation

Notes:

my friends and I used to (read: "over 50 years ago") call such creatures, that had an appearance reminiscent of a mosquito, but were about a couple of orders of magnitude bigger, "mosquito hawks"; this specimen was spotted on the wall of condominium complex; thanks to Karen Saxton for the ID

Species ID Suggestions

Western Giant Crane Fly

Holorusia hespera

Reference Link
BugEric
1

European crane fly

Tipula paludosa

Reference Link
KarenSaxton
1

Comments (3)
Allen Hoof
BugEric: Thanks for the additional information. The sex is apparently obvious from the image. Is the point at the end of the abdomen an ovipositor? As to species ID, if memory serves, the size of this one was ¾ inch to 1¼ inch from top to bottom of its "footprint," the head-to-trailing edge of abdomen length was approximately ½ to ¾ inch.
BugEric
Holorusia hespera is really big, bigger than any other crane fly in the Pacific Northwest. Without a size notation, I can't totally rule out the European Crane Fly, but I'm betting it is the Giant. Yours is a female.
KarenSaxton
from the above: The two pest species, called European crane fly (Tipula paludosa) and common crane fly (Tipula oleraceae) have dozens of relatives that are great fish food and also recyclers
Photographed
PublishedNovember 28, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies