Not that we don’t have enough types of mosquitoes around, because there are certainly a lot of different types of them. They come in many different sizes, but most of of them are small.
Those big things that look like a mosquito? Those are actually not a mosquito. Those are crane flies. They are mosquito shaped, but come without many of the mosquito’s more annoying qualities. Like biting. And spreading nasty diseases. Crane flies aren’t into any of that.
Crane flies don’t bite, and really don’t eat much at all. They also have a fairly short life. They spend most of their life as a grub, crawling around your lawn.
A friend used to call them “happy bugs” because they sort of look like they are happily dancing around all the time. They never seem really sure if they want to land somewhere, but keep momentarily touching down, then flying, then touching down. Like they’re doing a happy dance.
They are also known as a European marsh fly or marsh crane fly, but it all adds up to about the same thing. Those big things that look like mosquitoes are not and will not try to bite you.
About the worst one of them will so is mess up your lawn. Because they lay eggs in turf, the grubs hatch and chew the roots off your grass. And then there’s the fun part where crows and raccoons come buy and roll up your entire lawn trying to eat the grubs.
So if you’re really into having the most beautiful lawn in the area, there may be a reason to fear the crane fly. Otherwise… enjoy the dance.
