This was on my wife's car window tonight along with the female.
http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/09132009/IMG_3118.jpg
Guy
http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/09132009/IMG_3118.jpg
Guy
Male Mosquito Hawk
- Thread starter Teegate
- Start date
Nice! I've seen them before, but, as many times in the past on this site, I've got a name for them now. Thanks for the ID. ( Previously, it was just "Big Bug")
We always called them Mosquito kings, or mosquito killers. Does anybody know if they feed on mosquitos?
Great picture.
My husband calls them mosquito hawks too. Never saw them before we moved here and in the last week or so we have a ton of them.
My husband calls them mosquito hawks too. Never saw them before we moved here and in the last week or so we have a ton of them.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ) Despite their common names, crane flies do not prey on mosquitoes as adults, nor do they bite humans. [2] Adult crane flies feed on nectar or they do not feed at all; once they become adults, most crane fly species live only to mate and die. Their larvae, called "leatherjackets", "leatherbacks", "leatherback bugs" or "leatherjacket slugs", because of the way they move, consume roots (such as those of turf grass) and other vegetation, in some cases causing damage to plants. The crane fly is occasionally considered a mild turf pest in some areas. In 1935, Lord's Cricket Ground in London was among the venues affected by leatherjackets: several thousand were collected by ground staff and burned, because they caused bald patches on the wicket and the pitch took unaccustomed spin for much of the season.[3]
Little is known of the juvenile biology of many crane fly species. The larvae of less than 2% of the species have been described. Of those that have been described, many prefer moist environments, and some leatherjackets are aquatic.
The long legs are an adaptation that may allow the fly to alight in grassy places.
Crane flies are a food source for many birds. They are also susceptible to fungal infections and are a food source for many other insects.
Little is known of the juvenile biology of many crane fly species. The larvae of less than 2% of the species have been described. Of those that have been described, many prefer moist environments, and some leatherjackets are aquatic.
The long legs are an adaptation that may allow the fly to alight in grassy places.
Crane flies are a food source for many birds. They are also susceptible to fungal infections and are a food source for many other insects.
