Large flying insect ID

Large flying insect ID

Question

What is this creature?

Naturalist's Response

Thanks for sending a picture of a Crane Fly. There are many different species, and pictures of “pieces-parts” would be required for a definitive ID. These are the critters that everyone thinks are “big mosquitos.” But unlike mosquitos, they do not bite and are harmless to humans. They are sometimes attracted to lights at night. The larva of Crane Flies are stream-dwelling and may indicate that the water quality is pretty good.

-Naturalist Linda Gilbert

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Question

Naturalist's Response