Giant crane Fly

This Crane fly was about 2 inches long and had a wing span of at least 4 inches. It was quite bigger than the usual ones I have seen.

In western states from California north into Canada there is one very large species of crane fly called, appropriately, the Giant Crane Fly – Holorusia rubiginosa – and perhaps it is this species which has generated the myth of these flies eating mosquitoes. The wings of this monster can span nearly 3 inches, and if the legs were spread out to the sides it would likely double that size. As imposing as it is though, the Giant Crane Fly also is completely harmless. The adult flies do not feed at all and live only a short time after depositing eggs. The larvae feed only on decaying vegetation, and are not pests on turf. This is a species that should be left alone and enjoyed, and in fact plays an important role in reducing dead plant material to usable soil nutrients.