Giant Crane Fly

This cool insect is a Giant Crane Fly. As adults, most crane flies do not feed at all. They are mostly interested in reproducing. There are a couple of species that feed on nectar. The larvae of these flies can be aquatic or semi-aquatic and many of them live in and feed on rotting organic debris (this species is one of these). Some other species of crane fly larvae are predatory and feed on mosquito larvae and other small aquatic creatures. They do not bite or sting (they couldn't if they wanted to). They do not carry any dangerous diseases that I am aware of. (The Black-legged Tick or Deer Tick, Ixodes scapularis, is a carrier of Lyme Disease)