#mosquito hawk

[jenfoundabug]

Female crane fly (family Tipulidae) laying eggs. I knew some species lay eggs in soil, but wasn’t expecting it to look this silly 😆

While most crane fly adults don’t feed (they’re not giant mosquitoes!), most larvae eat dead plant matter. Larvae are an important part of the soil ecosystem because they convert organic matter into nutrients that plants and other life forms can use. Crane flys are also an important food source at all stages of their life for everything from spiders to song birds.

[spasmoticchainsaw]

Another skeeter eater

This time up close

[metallatch]

i love it when people share their different ways of life and pronunciations and such so

[teethburglar]

[ilikelearning-nature]

■thought: While the larve may cost some crop loss due to their appetites being similar to ours with their love of tublars and roots and occasionally leaves of crop plants, the adult Crane Fly does not have mouth parts to drink blood or inject venom, nor do they consume mosquitoes (like the nicknames "Mosquito Hawk"or "skeeter eater" implies).

■contribution: From the Article "What Eats Crane Flies: The Intriguing Predator Unveiled" by Daniel Marlos Piyushi Dhir-

"Crane flies may look intimidating, but they’re often a misunderstood outdoor critter. You may have encountered these large, mosquito-like insects in your yard and wondered about their role in the ecosystem. Knowing what eats crane flies can help us appreciate their place in the natural world and can give us a better understanding of how these fragile creatures fit into the food web.

In the wild, crane flies play an essential role in the food chain, serving as a valuable food source for various creatures ranging from birds to amphibians. By understanding the dietary preferences of these predators, you can gain a better appreciation for the intricate relationships between different species and the balance that exists in nature.

For instance, common predators of crane flies include birds like robins and swallows, which feast on both adult crane flies and their larvae. Frogs, toads, and even some spiders may also snack on these insects, helping control their population and ensuring that the delicate ecological system maintains equilibrium. Overall, understanding what eats crane flies leads to a better appreciation for the interconnectedness of our natural world."

■thought: Mosquitoes have a bad wrap. Of the 3000 some odd species of Mosquitoes, less than 2% of them drink blood, and less than half of those drink human blood, and are considered disease vectors. Those Mosquitoes, like Aedes aegypti, or the Yellow Fever Mosquito for example, have done so much damage to the public relations of anything Mosquito-like, that even the harmless and important Crane Fly suffers, despite the resemblance being almost non-existent (its not even a mosquito!). Below is a picture of Aedes aegypti:

When being outside, you may encounter an animal that scares you or creeps you out. It's okay to be afraid of things that you do not know about, and easier still to not have compassion with something that can look so alien. Crane flies and their family were born on earth over 245 million years ago- they're the oldest family of flies ever to exist! That makes them a bonafide Earthling 😊

They, and all other animals on earth, deserve to be here just as much as we do. Their time on earth is finite and precious, just like ours. They are just animals who look scary to us because they are so fragile and easy to harm. I personally consider them to be similar to faeries. 💜

[kilroywasqueer]

hey so mosquito hawks don't actually eat afaik

crane flies (aka mosquito hawks), far from eating mosquitoes, rarely eat *anything*

in their adult forms at least

they only live for a little bit so they usually just won't eat, and if they do, it's a little bit of pollen or nectar?

i mean still don't fuck with them bc they're harmless but yeah they don't be doin that shit

[cicadawings]

first big guy of the season wow

[shineyfish]

Weird little freak, he's very fun to draw

[violeteyedkiller]

I consider myself a decently hardcore person

I've had jobs that have taken me remote places working on my own in the elements, with wildlife, at times having to work with dead things. Dissections. Experiencing the unforgiving nature of the outdoors. All with relative gusto.

But as soon as there is a big bug in my room I scream and run and all bets are off

[sanguinewolves]

I grew up with crane fly, mosquito hawk, and may fly all being different things so it’s weird to hear you referring to what I think of as a mosquito hawk as one of the others/lh

wait what did you grow up calling a crane fly then?

[spasmoticchainsaw]

Skeeter eater somehow managed to get in my room

[phasmaars]

a three part story

[dwtdog]

Hi flame anon! Nice to meet you and welcome to the rat life :)

- alli

Ps: cadence, there's a mosquito in my room, why can't it go away, I want to keep my blood to myself :( that's personal

well maybe u should learn to share :// it only wants a little slurp of blood u have plenty probably :33

[going-astronuts]

Mechanics Departement Records Stardate: 11/29

This is an excerpt of a ten minutes long recording.

Captain: (seemingly repeatedly hitting something on the ground with an instruction manual) -DIE *thunk* DIE *thunk* DIE *thunk* DIEDIEDIE *thonk*-

[doebt]

There is like a 90% chance i just broke my toe