The Winter Crane Fly is approximately 3/8 inch (10 mm) in length and looks like a large mosquito. The head is very smalI and tan in color with black eyes. The thorax is tan and the wings are long and also tan with brown veining. The legs are very long and light brown. Winter Crane Flies are usually smaller than true Crane Flies (Tipulidae) and are distinguished by having ocelli (simple eyes) on the crown of the head. True Crane Flies lack ocelli. This Crane Fly was identified with the help of volunteer experts from the BugGuide website.
The frequency of occurrence is not known. Winter Crane Fly adults fly on sunny warm days in early spring and late fall. The individual shown here was photographed in Fontenelle Forest in Mormon Hollow in early November.
The larvae live in moist or wet areas in decaying leaves, manure or fungi. They are scavengers in decaying vegetation. There are 3 genera and 29 species in North America.
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