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The Crane Fly or "Daddy Longlegs"
Crane flies - along with spiders - tend to cause panic in the house!
Attracted by light, they fly in through open windows and flap against the light source. Crane flies are harmless - they are merely large flies and they do not bite or sting.
The female lays her eggs in the ground, where the larvae, commonly called 'leather jackets', survive in the damp earth and feed on vegetation, sometimes causing damage by gnawing at the roots of plants. Larval crane flies are most unpopular with gardeners and golfers when they feed on grass roots and destroy lawns and greens. Crane fly larvae may also appear in damp/mossy thatched roofs. They do little damage in a roof, but can cause a problem if birds discover this source of food and pull at the thatch to reach the larvae.
The leggy adult crane flies, sometimes referred to as 'Daddy Longlegs' are very fragile and their legs have a tendency to break off if handled. Some females are wingless and can be seen on house walls in late autumn.
Unless in extremely large numbers, crane flies do not usually require professional treatment.
