Family Tipulidae
rss What is this bug??
I took this photo in july ’05 in the Puget Sound are of Washington state. It was on the side of my house and was about2.5" across at the legs.Thank you for the I.D. -Lynne
Hi Lynne,
This is a Giant Western Crane Fly, Holorusia rubiginosa. It is harmless. This is the biggest fly west of the Rockies.
Cranefly Love
Hi bugman love your job.
We have another example of Cranefly’s in the heat of the moment.
Rob from North Vancouver, British Columbia
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the image. It is nice to see that losing several legs, a common Cranefly disability, hasn’t hindered the process of procreation.
Bug Love
bugman
I just today discovered your website. Awesome! Creepy – but really neat. I have a different picture, once I find it, of an as of yet unidentified bug. Noone knows what it is. But until I find that one, I have another submission for your Bug Love section. I went through your website, and think I identified this two in the picture. I’ve always been a city girl – and now live in a rural area of Central Virginia. Since moving here a year ago, I’ve seen more creepy crawlies than I knew existed. Last year, I went out the front door, totally oblivious to what was sitting on the door frame. I only noticed it when I turned around to lock the door. They were too.. involved… to notice me coming in and out of the door, so I got my camera. Are they crane flies mating? Thanks
Caron
Hi Caron,
Your Craneflies are indeed mating, and this represents the intimate activity of a new species for our Love Among the Bugs page. Thanks for the contribution.
Wingless Bug that Flies with it’s legs.
Hi Bugman,
How are you? I am a new resident living in Georgia State, where there used to be farms out in the country. Over the weekend i found 2 strage bugs. One was at a relative’s home north of Lake Lanier, with info from your site i was able to find its name… the extremely bright red Velvet Ant. The other i found at my home, its a large 1.5 inch fuzzy grey mosquito body, with spider looking legs that had a section of it covered in a velvet. It was on a wall, when it spread its leg and jumped off, it could glide vertical, side ways as it pleased. I caught it, put it in a cup to take a pic then released it, and it just spred its legs at the top of the cup and flew motionless all the way over to my neighbours yard. Here is a pic enclosed. Thanks for the wonderful site with pics and info about all the beautiful and strange bugs 
)
Chad
Gwinnett, GA.
Hi Chad,
Your mystery insect is a Phantom Crane Fly, Bittacomorpha clavipes. Your are correct in that it flies with its legs. The swollen tarsi catch air currents. Your specimen has lost two legs. The coloration helps the insect to vanish in the shade, hence the name Phantom. It is usually found near moist woods and stream margins.
Large winged insect in Seattle
Hi there,
I found your site while browsing after taking a picture of a large insect that was perched on the back of one of our deck chairs – calmly hanging out all days as the kids ran around etc. Cool character. Hard to measure in the photo but I would say its body was about 2.5" from front to back. I saw a similar pair mating later but haven’t seen one since, and never here before. From other pictures on your site I thought it might be an Ichneumon? Hope the picture is good enough to identify…
Thanks in advance!
Rev. Ed
Good Morning Rev. Ed,
This is a Cranefly in the Family Tipulidae. They resemble giant mosquitos, but are harmless. They often enter houses being attracted to lights.
Coolest flying insect in Minnesota-please help identify
Dear Bugman,
I live in Chaska Minnesota which is 20 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. I found this cool looking bug by my doorstep this evening and wondered if you could help me identify it. The bug body is about 1.5 centimeters long and is an iridescent grey/silver color. the body is three segments, head, a spherical middle and a long end section. He has a pair of clear winds that are about 0.75 centimeters long. The coolest part about the bug is that he has really long legs. The legs are mostly black but at the joints are white stripes. As well the second section from the white foot is thicker than the rest of the leg. It can fly. I’ve added a couple pictures I took with my dad. Hope you can tell me what it is Thanks in advance
Corey Giroux
Hi Corey,
The Phantom Crane Fly, Bittacomorpha clavipes, is an awesome creature. It is found near moist woods and stream margins. They soar slowly through the air catching air currents on the swollen leg joints. They get their common name because when they fly into the shade, they seem to disappear except for the white leg bands.
What the heck is this thing?
I know this is thing is pretty common, but if you could let me know what this is we have a pool at the office?
Apostolos T. Nacopoulos
WRB Architects
2550 West 8th Street
Erie , Pennsylvania
Hi Apostolos,
Let us know who wins the pool. This is a Giant Eastern Cranefly, Pedicia albivitta. It can achieve a wingspan of well over three inches. Adults do not eat despite carrying the colloquial common name of Mosquito Hawk.
cool site!
Very interesting site. I have a couple of bugs I can’t identify. Both from Southern California. I appreciate any help you can give me.
Ron Drake
Hi Ron,
Your other photo is of the gangly Cranefly. These harmless creatures are the largest flies and are often attracted to lights at night.
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