Crane Fly (Tipula furca) fem 8/12/11 PL DE - 1-1/2" wingspan and 1" body length.
AKA Mosquito Hawk, Mosquito Wolf. More amusing names are: Skeeter Eater, Gallinipper, and Gollywhopper, depending where in the country you are. Thank you Wikipedia.
Although Crane Flies can grow to have a wing span of 3", this individual was only half as big.
The two appendages with round balls at the end are called "halteres". They act like gyroscopes and help the Crane Fly keep it's equilibrium.
Adult lives approximately 10-15 days and uses that time primarily to mate and lay eggs.
Excellent page on Crane Flies in Pennsylvania:
http://iz.carnegiemnh.org/cranefly/introduction.htm
http://bugguide.net/node/view/104251/bgimage
Although Crane Flies can grow to have a wing span of 3", this individual was only half as big.
The two appendages with round balls at the end are called "halteres". They act like gyroscopes and help the Crane Fly keep it's equilibrium.
Adult lives approximately 10-15 days and uses that time primarily to mate and lay eggs.
Excellent page on Crane Flies in Pennsylvania:
http://iz.carnegiemnh.org/cranefly/introduction.htm
http://bugguide.net/node/view/104251/bgimage
Photo info
Random image
