Tipula oleracea, commonly referred to as the European crane fly or the common crane fly, is a species of crane fly native to Europe but found in many parts of the world. These insects are often mistaken for mosquitoes due to their slender bodies and long legs, but they are actually much larger than most mosquitoes.

Name breakdown

• "Tipula". is the name of the genus of insects that belongs to the family Tipulidae. They are commonly known as crane flies, although they are not true mosquitoes and do not bite.
• "Oleracea". is a Latin adjective that means "vegetable garden" or "vegetable", used in taxonomy to indicate a relationship with cultivated plants or vegetables.

Here are a few points of interest about Tipula oleracea:

Appearance: Adults have very long legs and a slender body. They have a wingspan of up to 65mm. Their larvae, commonly known as leatherjackets, are grayish-brown, cylindrical, legless, and can be up to 40mm in length.

Lifecycle: The adult crane flies live only for a short time, typically a few days to a couple of weeks, mainly to mate and lay eggs. The larvae, or leatherjackets, live in the soil where they feed on plant roots, organic matter, and sometimes even the bases of grass plants.

Habitat: They are commonly found in grasslands, gardens, and wet areas.

Diet: Adult crane flies do not feed on humans or other animals. Some species do not feed at all, while others might feed on nectar. It's the larvae (leatherjackets) that can cause damage to plants by feeding on their roots, particularly grass in lawns and pastures.

Pest Status: The larvae can be considered pests, especially in grassy areas like lawns, golf courses, and pastures. They can cause significant damage to turfgrass if present in large numbers.

Control: There are various methods to control crane fly larvae if they become a problem. This includes biological controls like parasitic nematodes, chemical insecticides, and cultural practices like maintaining healthy soil and grass conditions.

It's worth noting that not all crane flies or their larvae are problematic or damaging to plants.