Crane Flies are members of the tipulidae family of insects, and can be easily recognized by their long, gangly legs and sloppy flight pattern. They almost look like flying daddy-long legs, and are actually called by that name in some parts of the country
The life cycle of the Crane Fly is one of the least studied of all the members of the order Insecta. Females lay their eggs in the fall, and the larva, known as leather jackets, grow during the cold winter months. Leatherjackets feed on the roots of turf grass in a manner very similar to grubs, and are capable of doing significant damage if not properly controlled. In mid summer, when it is warm and humid, (conditions similar to what we have experienced the past few weeks) Crane Flies emerge from the ground to breed.