Unknown French Crane Fly
(04/20/2008) What IS this bug?
Hi
I wonder if you can identify this beastie?  We live 30 miles south of Paris in France.  I have looked in all my books and on the web but find nothing like it. The only way I can describe it is a cross between a wasp, with thin yellow and black stripes, with a sting, but legs like a Daddy-Long-Legs.  From head to sting it was about an inch. I look forward to hearing from you Regards
Anna Mc



Hi Anna,
All we can tell you is that this is some species of Crane Fly in the family Tipulidae , but we do not know the genus, nor species. It resembles our North American genus Ctenophora as pictured on BugGuide.

Mating Crane Flies
(04/10/2008) Mosquitoes?
These are everywhere right now. I’m really tired of them. What are they? What can be done to keep them away?



These are Crane Flies, and though they resemble large mosquitos, they are not closely related (other than being flies) and they do not bite. Crane Flies are sometimes called Mosquito Hawks. Judging by the mating activity in your photo, you are apt to remain tired for a bit longer. Crane Fly adults are benign and do not feed. They are often seasonal in appearance and are attracted to lights at night. We don't really have any suggestions on how to keep them away.

Crane Fly
(01/05/2008) unknown insect/creechie
bugman,
shot this pic back in late august 07. resting on a geranium leaf. don't know what it is. after looking at your site it has some features of the rove beetle from cameroon. yet this one has wings and was found in West Michigan, US. any ideas? great site. regards,
thomas



Hi Thomas,
This is a Crane Fly, most probably a female Ctenophora dorsalis, a highly variable species, or a species in the same genus.

Crane Fly: Pedicia albivitta
(11/14/2007) unusual insect
Hi
I have been looking for this picture for some time now and found it tonight.  I live in Northwestern Ontario, Canada just outside of Kakabeka Falls.  This beautiful flying insect showed up in August and I have not seen one like it since.  I really enjoy your site and have it bookmarked so I can visit often.  Have gone through some of your bug info lists but don't know where to start with this one.  Thanks in advance if you can identify it.
Dave



Hi Dave,
This is a Crane Fly, and we matched it to Pedicia albivitta on the Crane Flies of Pennsylvania website. We agree that it is a beautiful specimen.

Crane Fly with Mites
(06/29/2007) Is this a Crane Fly?
We saw this on the outside of our window the other night and had never seen one with eggs around its neck.  Also, the wings on the crane fly’s I see usually are not folded back like this one. Picture taken in Kenmore WA (near Seattle) Taken with a digital camera on macro looking through a hand held magnifying lens. Thanks,
Doug



Hi Doug,
You are correct about this being a Crane Fly, but those are not eggs. They are Mites that are hitching a ride on the Crane Fly in order to be transported to a new location. This method of dispersal is known as Phoresy. We will contact a Crane Fly expert, Dr. Chen W. Young, to see if he can add anything. Dr. Chen Young quickly wrote back to us with this information: "Crane flies can hold their wings either way, fold over their back or spread out to the sides.  The crane fly of your image actually is one belongs to the subfamily Limoniinae.  They are smaller in body size and their antennae are 14-16 segments.  The large crane flies belong to subfamily Tipulinae and their antennae are 13 segments.   Check this section and scroll down to see the part regarding mites on crane flies   http://iz.carnegiemnh.org/cranefly/introduction.htm#PREDATORS Several species of pseudoscorpions and mites have been reported to attach themselves to crane flies.  The majority of these associations are actually phoretic relationships, where the pseudoscorpions and mites are carried as hitchhikers by the crane flies.  However, others are parasitic mites that feed on the body fluid of the crane flies."

Crane Fly
(06/03/2007) Orange wasp - interesting abdomen shape and stinger
Hello bug enthusiasts!
While rock climbing in Memorial day Rumney, NH, we spotted this wasp (?) on a backpack clip. It was pretty lethargic and  about 1.25 - 1.5 inches long. It's bright color pattern, curved stinger, and interesting abdomen shape caught our eye. My friend who referred me to your site looked it up but didn't find a match - he thought maybe it was a pregnant wasp of some kind...any thoughts? Thanks,
Julie (Somerville, MA)



Hi Julie,
Though it resembles an Ichneumon, this is not a wasp. It is a Crane Fly. We have scoured the Crane Flies of Pennsylvania website and believe this is a species in the genus Ctenophora. It might be Ctenophora apicata, or possibly, Ctenophora dorsalis. We will contact the author of the site, Dr. Chen W Young, to see if he can provide a species identification. Here is Dr. Young's response: "Hi Daniel,   The image shows a female crane fly of Ctenophora dorsalis. This female does not have the typical coloration of most of the Ctenophora dorsalis, but as we have leaned that this species is highly variable in their body size and body color (See notes in website http://iz.carnegiemnh.org/cranefly/tipulinae.htm#Ctenophora_Tanyptera.  However, the shape of the ovipositor on this images shows the typical shape of ovipositor in this species.   I hope this answer your question.   Thanks, Chen "

Mating Crane Flies
(06/02/2007) Bug Love
These seem to be Mosquito Hawks in love
Barb



Hi Barb,
Over the years, we have received numerous images of mating Crane Flies, sometimes called Mosquito Hawks even though they do not eat mosquitos. Your photo stands out from the crowd since the shallow depth of field and subtle backlighting nicely isolate the pair from their surroundings.

Phantom Crane Fly
(05/29/2007)
Hi Mr. Bugman!
I hope you can open this attachment and view this bug and let me know what it is...it's making crazy, cause I can't find out on my own...we've lived here for 8 yrs. and last year was the first year they appeared...i have a close up picture on a white background if you think you can analyze easier. These guys appear like they are floating or swimming underwater rather that flying...if you can let me know if the picture is good enough i'd appreciate it very much!



This is a Phantom Crane Fly, Bittacomorpha clavipes. Your description of their etherial manner of flight is quite accurate.

Unknown Crane Fly from Parts Unknown
(05/22/2007)
you can see this bug i took photo of on this link. Any help i much appriciated :)
Bocca



Hi Bocca,
You didn't provide us with much information here. This is a fly, and appears to be a Crane Fly in the Infraorder Tipulomorpha. Those bushy antennae and the bold coloration are quite distinctive, but since you did not provide us with global coordinates, we cannot do better than Unknown Crane Fly.

thanks for the answer. I'm located in Europe, Serbia, Belgrade

Update: (05/30/2007) From Eric Eaton
" Oh, the unknown crane fly is some other type of phantom crane fly, I am pretty sure. Chen Young, who runs the Crane Flies of Pennsylvania website could tell you for certain. Eric "

Crane Fly
(01/12/2007) Another Japanese Bug ID
I'm afraid I have a little less to work with on this next insect. Frankly, I haven't a clue on this one, but it's pretty large. (Of course, being from Arizona, I'm used to seeing things like, oh, Palo Verde Root Borers and Giant Swallowtails. Not something like this, with legs all over the place!) This was taken in spring 2005 in the wooded hills behind Hiroshima Shudo University, Hiroshima, Japan. For a rough size reference, those leaves are between three to four inches in length. Cheers!
Carlos Ross
Tempe, Arizona, USA



Hi again Carlos,
This is a Crane Fly.

Phoresy with Crane Fly and Pseudoscorpion
(07/27/2006) Crane Fly w/ Pseudoscorpion
Dear Bugman,
I love your site! We live in 2nd floor apartment in a porous old house in an old mill town in south central Massachusetts. Starlings have found their way indoors more than once. I'm pretty sure the window screens are just to keep the cats in. So I figure, if we're going to live with bugs, I should learn their names and habits. Last night while I was brushing my teeth I noticed a crane fly nearby at eye level so I leaned in for a closer look. That's when I saw the pseudoscorpion, hitching a ride(?). I'm not sure how it's hanging on there, but it was flexing its free legs to no apparent purpose. The crane fly flew to several spots with the little guy hanging on before landing where I couldn't see them anymore. Before becoming a regular reader of your site I might have said I saw a mosquito hawk with a OMG-what-is-that-thing on it. But as is it, I knew just who they were. Thanks so much for both the information and the entertainment.
Wendy



Hi Wendy,
We are thrilled to post your photo of Phoresy with a Pseudoscorpion hitching a ride on a Crane Fly.

Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver and Crane Fly
(07/25/2006) Key West creatures.
Can you tell me the correct name of what is locally called a "crab spider" and the proper name of the flying insect also included. These were photographed in Key West, FL. Thanks...
Don Leinbach
P.S. an absolutely brilliant site!!



Hi Don,
Your spider is a Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis, and the flying creature is a species of Crane Fly.

Crane Fly artfully photographed
(06/11/2006) Odd Little Critter
Hey Bugman!
While hiking this morning I ran across this guy, I immediately thought of you (well, after I couldn't mentally place it in my peterson's guide [that's in storage]). Any Ideas?
Chad



Hi Chad,
Your photograph of a Crane Fly is so artful. It really seems voyeuristic.

Mating Crane Flies
(05/14/2006) Another bug picture
I have been enjoying my 15 minutes of fame since sending you the cylindrical hardwood borer picture a few weeks ago. Now, it seems everywhere I look I see randy bugs doing it, thinking about doing it, or basking in the afterglow of having just done it. Here's another picture of goodness knows what doing you know what.
Nancy



Hi Nancy,
We will extend your fame time allottment by posting your photo of mating Crane Flies, sometimes called Mosquito Hawks.

Tiger Crane Fly
(03/19/2006)
I am trying to find out what this insect is I need this for a yr 11 biology assignment. Thank you
Lucy



Dear Lucy,
Like you, we and our readers crave information. Most importantly, where was this insect located? We are also curious if the biology assignment is for an 11 year old and you are doing the research, or if it is for you. Is it an 11th grade assignment? or has the assignment been in the works for 11 years. Lacking a concrete answer to any of the questions we have, we can nonetheless reply to your query. This is a Tiger Crane Fly, Nephrotoma pedunculata, according to a matching image on BugGuide.

Crane Fly
(02/28/2006) Any idea what this one is?
I'm not too familiar with bugs, but I was intrigued by its long legs and wings. I took this picture in Prescott Valley, Arizona
Thanks,
Glenn Emanuel



Hi Glenn,
This is a Crane Fly in the Family Tipulidae.

Giant Crane Fly
(02/01/2006) Crane fly species (large!)
Here's a Crane Fly species... I'm in the San Francisco Bay area, is there an endemic species hereabouts? Those are rose bush leaves that it's landed on... Total size, (including legs) was larger than my hand - and I've got large (male) hands! I now realize I should'a provided information on my hand size... my hand measures 8" across (or about 21 cm...) and the legs on this guy/gal were a little (maybe 1 cm) wider than that... another shot (from a different angle) is attached. Sorry about focus, but that's a 50mm macro at f/32... Exposure time lost to history.
Paul



Hi Paul,
This is not the Giant Western Crane Fly, Holorusia rubiginosa, but we are not sure what species it is. We will do some additional research.

Pedicia albivitta Crane Fly and Fishing Spider Exoskeleton
(01/02/2006) Spiders, Crane Flies
Folks,
You have a great site -- thanks very much. I was preparing some nature pics of my own and used your resources to identify a few things. I've included some links below to a few of my pictures. A couple of questions: 1) In "crane_fly2.jpg", the bug has some red blobby things on its back. Any idea what that is? Eggs? 2) I believe that the spider skin is a skin from the spider in Fishing spider, I presume. I found a couple of these skins in the wood pile where the spider lives. It looks hollow to me and appears to have split apart when the spider was shedding it. Does this make sense or is it a dead spider?
Take care,
Andre Paquette
Ottawa Ontario Canada



Hi Andre,
The Crane Fly photo you inquired about is difficult to see, but the red blobs are probably mites which often infest Crane Flies. The skin is indeed a Dolomedes Fishing Spider exoskeleton. We really wanted to identify your beautiful black and white Crane Fly and we found Pedicia albivitta on the Crane Flies of Pennsylvania website.

Crane Fly
(11/06/2005) Yikes!
I found this bug on the cedar shingles outside of a building in upstate NY(on a horse ranch). I've never seen anything like it. I was wondering if you can fill me in to whatever you know about it. Thanks. 
torch



Hi Torch,
This is a Crane Fly and they are harmless.

Craneflies: Mating and Solo
(10/27/2005) 2 Cranefly Pics
Love your site.  Thought I'd send you these two pictures I took of craneflies in my backyard.  One on its own and the other of a mating pair.  I wouldn't have known they were craneflies until identifying them on your site.
Cindy
Ajax, ON  CANADA (just east of Toronto)



Hi Cindy,
Sorry for the long delay. We are posting both of your images on our Cranefly page and our second Bug Love page. The images are both stunning.

Beautiful Crane Fly: Pedicia albivitta
(09/09/2005) Hi.....I took this photo on a bush in my front yard in Michigan's upper peninsula. I found out it's a Crane Fly but can you tell me the complete name for it. Thanks,
Ron



Hi Ron,
We contacted Eric Eaton to see if he recognized your species of Crane Fly. Here is his reply: "Well, shoot!  I recognize it, but forget which genus it is.  There is a picture of one in the photo gallery of the World Catalog of Tipulidae website;  also pretty sure there is another image on the Crane Flies of Pennsylvania website, and if not, the webmaster of that site, Chen Young could ID your image.  Sorry to refer you on again! Eric " So, we followed Eric's lead to The Crane Flies of Pennsylvania and discovered an image of your lovely Pedicia albivitta.

Crane Fly
(09/09/2005) WHAT IS IT!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Bugman,
This is Bryce again Freshman of Kittson Central High in northwestern Minnesota. I like to lure bugs close to the house with a light and found what I assume is a Phantom Cranefly, but IT'S ENORMOUS. I put a ruler by it to show you it's true size. Bryce



Hi Again Bryce,
Yes this is a Crane Fly, probably genus Tipula. Our Audubon Guide says they grow to 2 1/2 inches and yours is considerably larger. This is not, however, a Phantom Crane Fly which has distinctive black and white markings.

Giant Western Crane Fly
(08/30/2005) What is this bug??
I took this photo in july '05 in the Puget Sound are of Washington state. It was on the side of my house and was about2.5" across at the legs.Thank you for the I.D.   -Lynne



Hi Lynne,
This is a Giant Western Crane Fly, Holorusia rubiginosa. It is harmless. This is the biggest fly west of the Rockies.

Disabled Craneflies Mating
(08/15/2005) Cranefly Love
Hi bugman love your job.
We have another example of Cranefly's in the heat of the moment.
Rob from North Vancouver, British Columbia



Hi Rob,
Thanks for the image. It is nice to see that losing several legs, a common Cranefly disability, hasn't hindered the process of procreation.

Craneflies Mating
(08/12/2005) Bug Love
bugman
I just today discovered your website.  Awesome!  Creepy - but really neat. I have a different picture, once I find it, of an as of yet unidentified bug.  Noone knows what it is.  But until I find that one, I have another submission for your Bug Love section.  I went through your website, and think I identified this two in the picture. I've always been a city girl - and now live in a rural area of Central Virginia.  Since moving here a year ago, I've seen more creepy crawlies than I knew existed.  Last year, I went out the front door, totally oblivious to what was sitting on the door frame.  I only noticed it when I turned around to lock the door.  They were too.. involved... to notice me coming in and out of the door, so I got my camera.  Are they crane flies mating? Thanks
Caron



Hi Caron,
Your Craneflies are indeed mating, and this represents the intimate activity of a new species for our Love Among the Bugs page. Thanks for the contribution.

Phantom Crane Fly
(08/08/2005) Wingless Bug that Flies with it's legs.
Hi Bugman,
How are you? I am  a new resident living in Georgia State, where there used to be farms out in the country. Over the weekend i found 2 strage bugs. One was at a relative's home north of Lake Lanier, with info from your site i was able to find its name... the extremely bright red Velvet Ant. The other i found at my home, its a large 1.5 inch fuzzy grey mosquito body, with spider looking legs that had a section of it covered in a velvet. It was on a wall, when it spread its leg and jumped off, it could glide vertical, side ways as it pleased. I caught it, put it in a cup to take a pic then released it, and it just spred its legs at the top of the cup and flew motionless all the way over to my neighbours yard. Here is a pic enclosed. Thanks for the wonderful site with pics and info about all the beautiful and strange bugs :o)
Chad
Gwinnett, GA.



Hi Chad,
Your mystery insect is a Phantom Crane Fly, Bittacomorpha clavipes. Your are correct in that it flies with its legs. The swollen tarsi catch air currents. Your specimen has lost two legs. The coloration helps the insect to vanish in the shade, hence the name Phantom. It is usually found near moist woods and stream margins.

Cranefly
(07/17/2005) Large winged insect in Seattle
Hi there,
I found your site while browsing after taking a picture of a large insect that was perched on the back of one of our deck chairs - calmly hanging out all days as the kids ran around etc. Cool character. Hard to measure in the photo but I would say its body was about 2.5" from front to back. I saw a similar pair mating later but haven't seen one since, and never here before. From other pictures on your site I thought it might be an Ichneumon? Hope the picture is good enough to identify...
Thanks in advance!
Rev. Ed



Good Morning Rev. Ed,
This is a Cranefly in the Family Tipulidae. They resemble giant mosquitos, but are harmless. They often enter houses being attracted to lights.

Phantom Crane Fly
(07/05/2005) Coolest flying insect in Minnesota-please help identify
Dear Bugman,
I live in Chaska Minnesota which is 20 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. I found this cool looking bug by my doorstep this evening and wondered if you could help me identify it. The bug body is about 1.5 centimeters long and is an iridescent grey/silver color. the body is three segments, head, a spherical middle and a long end section. He has a pair of clear winds that are about 0.75 centimeters long. The coolest part about the bug is that he has really long legs. The legs are mostly black but at the joints are white stripes. As well the second section from the white foot is thicker than the rest of the leg. It can fly. I've added a couple pictures I took with my dad. Hope you can tell me what it is Thanks in advance
Corey Giroux



Hi Corey,
The Phantom Crane Fly, Bittacomorpha clavipes, is an awesome creature. It is found near moist woods and stream margins. They soar slowly through the air catching air currents on the swollen leg joints. They get their common name because when they fly into the shade, they seem to disappear except for the white leg bands.

Giant Eastern Crane Fly
(06/24/2005) What the heck is this thing?
I know this is thing is pretty common, but if you could let me know what this is we have a pool at the office?
Apostolos T. Nacopoulos
WRB Architects
2550 West 8th Street
Erie , Pennsylvania



Hi Apostolos,
Let us know who wins the pool. This is a Giant Eastern Cranefly, Pedicia albivitta. It can achieve a wingspan of well over three inches. Adults do not eat despite carrying the colloquial common name of Mosquito Hawk.

Cranefly
(06/06/2005) cool site!
Very interesting site.  I have a couple of bugs I can’t identify.  Both from Southern California.  I appreciate any help you can give me.
Ron Drake



Hi Ron,
Your other photo is of the gangly Cranefly. These harmless creatures are the largest flies and are often attracted to lights at night.

Leather Jackets and Craneflies
(03/09/2005) Bugs!
Here are several pictures of invertebrates that my wife has taken.  She is a sales rep for a company that sells garden products and she uses the pictures to train garden center employees to identify local pests. First, is a grub I found in my front yard here in Vancouver, Washington. It was about an inch long.  My wife doesn't know what it is.  Any ideas? The next two are photos of a slug, one in front of a measuring tape.  Nearly 10 inches long!  What a beaut. The last two are European crane fly, in the adult and larval stages, respectively.  Just something to add to your collection.
Evan



Wow Evan,
Thanks for all the awesome images. We are starting a new page devoted to snails and slugs thanks to your great images of a Banana Slug. We aren't sure exactly what your grub is, but it is a type of scarab. We love the image of the larval Craneflies, known as Leather Jackets.

Unidentified Aquatic Fly
(03/08/2005) Bugging You Again
Hi Daniel.  I've been seeing the oddest little creatures hatching on my little treks to the Sacramento river to photograph bugs.  At first I believed it was a midge.  Then, looking closer at its intricate wing veining, I mistook it for a newly hatched stonefly.  I ought to know better!  Some claim it must be a water strider, but what I've read indicates those should have four long legs with an additional two short front legs, where this creature instead has six very long legs.  It seems barely able to hold up its head and mostly just drags it alongside!  It can fly, though scarcely seems to realize it - perhaps because of its newly hatched state.  I did not witness any actually hatching or emerging but suspect they just did because of the rather helpless way they washed about in the current until they could fasten onto a rock to drag themselves up onto.  Can you shed any light onto this charming creature's identity for me?  You asked about  caddis, damselflies, and dragonfly nymph images when last you wrote and I'm happy to say I've gotten off my duff and organized my macroinvertebrates into tidy categories easy to look through.  If you need any of them, I would be honored to contribute to the cause.   The reorganized galleries are at:  http://www.pbase.com/michellemahood/real_bugs
Thanks as always for your help and your advice! Best regards,
Michelle Mahood
Shingletown, California



Hi Again Michelle,
We always love being bugged by you since you have such great stories and photos. We wanted to turn to a more qualified expert with your new critter, so we wrote to Eric Eaton. Here is his response:
"Well, the critter looks like it may be some kind of crane fly, but there are a number of aquatic fly families that could fit the bill.  She needs to consult an aquatic entomologist, I think.  I'd be hesitant to go out on a limb here.  Sorry."
P. S. Eric speaks very highly of you.

Dear Daniel,
Thanks for replying!  If you don't know and Eric Eaton doesn't know, I can't imagine anyone knows!  However, maybe some especially learned aquatic entomologist fan of yours who reads your site will pipe up with a species name for my critter.  He's certainly not rare, as there's a hatch of them regularly where I visit the river to turn over rocks.  Thanks so much for trying and for posting my pictures.  I love looking at your site and seeing what others have discovered!  I'm loving spring and hope you are too!
Best regards,
Michelle
PS  If you need ANY insects off my site for yours, please have at 'em!

Cranefly
(03/05/2005) help!
We are being invaded by these bugs which are about and inch long.  I have lived in Tucson Arizona all my life and have never seen these.  
Can you help?
Meredith



Hi Meredith,
Even though your Cranefly looks like a giant mosquito, it is harmless. Craneflies often enter homes because they are attracted to lights. They will neither damage you nor your home.

Giant Cranefly
(11/08/2004) not a dragonfly.... not a daddy long leg
Hello, My name is Anthony.  I am from Long Island, New York.  Today, November 7th, I took a picture of the strangest bug on my front porch.  I estimate the it to be 4 inches across.  It has two wings and six legs. Could you tell me what bug that is?  Take your time, I know you are very busy.
I JUST sent you an email.  Someone suggested a Crane Fly.  I think
that may be it.  Thank you anyway, and is my friend right??



Hi Anthony,
Your friend is right, it is a Giant Crane Fly.

Great Big Cranefly
(09/03/2004) Identification
I found this guy while fishing for brown trout near a little spring feed creek in Southwest Michigan (8/30/04).  The creek has dense tree cover over it.  This guys was on a telephone pole by the road.  The body was about three to four inches long and with it's legs it outstretched, it was easily as big as my hand.  It seems like a bigger version of a crane fly.  I suspect the trout probably feast on these guys when they are in their emergent phase?  Here is a couple images.  Thank you.
Russ



Thanks Russ,
I can't give you an exact species name, but you do have one of the larger Craneflies from the Family Tipulidae. The insect is nicely camoflauged against the dead wood. You are probably right that they make good trout food. They are sometimes thought to be giant mosquitos, but they are in fact harmless to man.

(01/04/2004) Leather-Jacket
Dear Daniel, I was almost certain that this was a land planarian because of the triangular shaped head. I found it under a log and it moves like a slug. I contacted an expert on land planarians and he said this "thing" may be a larva of some sort, but definitely not a land planarian. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Lynette

Hi Lynette,
I agree with the expert, definitely not a planarian. They are flatworms. It might be some sort of a moth caterpillar. I wish you had a side view of it. How long was it? What about legs? Caterpillars usually have legs. Probably my best guess is a Crane Fly (Tipuloidea) larva, known sometimes as "Leather Jackets". They are often found on dry land in decaying vegetation. The larva of Tipula abdominalis looks like your photo.

Hi again.  I guess it was about an inch long.  I didn't see any legs, but it was moving through that slimy stuff, so I guess they could have been there.  I really thought I was seeing a worm or slug not a larva but you know I am not too good at this yet.  Anyway thanks for pointing me in a general direction!

Dear Lou,
I'm so happy that search engine is doing what it is supposed to do, direct the curious to our site.  You are talking about crane flies which though they are known locally in some areas as mosquito hawks, do not really feed on mosquitos.  They have soft mouthparts incapable of biting.  The Giant Crane Fly, Holorusia hespera, is one of the world's largest flies with a 3 inch wing span.  I'm also happy to hear we have a reader who knows how to cope with insect visitors in a kind and logical manner instead of just bombarding the entire environment with pesticides to no avail.

Thanks! I found a corroborative answer in further searching, Crane Flies! Never heard the name but known the interesting creatures all my life. And Mosquito Hawks are also names for dragonflies and Damsel flies. Fascinating photo article on Damsel flies in National Geographic recently, too.
Thanks, Bugman!
Lou

(2/19/03) Hi, Bugman....
This guy was just stumbling around on the trunk of my avacado tree....having trouble finding his legs.....he couldn't fly but he flapped his wings.... I've seen a lot of these.....this one was maybe newly hatched and just getting started....he wasn't as big as the ones who used to live in my bathtub at my old place.
Anyway, this guy was just about an inch long, not counting his legs.. What is he? He looks just like a super sized mosquito, but friendlier, and not at all bloodthirsty. Thanks.....Jonathan

Dear Jonathan,
    How nice to hear from you.
You've got a common crane fly, (Tipula planicornis). The larger species is the Giant Crane Fly (Holorusia hespera) which can have a three inch wingspan. Craneflies have short soft mouthparts and are incapable of biting. Larvae are called leather jackets and are found in rotting vegetation. Some are aquatic.