At the moment, thanks to some unseasonably (but gratefully received) late winter rain and slightly warmer weather, we are inundated by giant mosquitoes.
Except they’re not.
They are actually crane flies, but as you can see from the picture below, they do have a marked resemblance to the blood-sucking pests.
Source: neurovelho / CC BY-SA 3.0
The irony is, the crane fly actually preys on mosquito larva (and not people).
So next time you see a “giant mosquito”, before you slap it, remember the crane fly. Let it live and it will take care of the mosquitoes for you.
Have you seen a crane fly? (They are found around the world)
September 15, 2020 at 10:06 pm
Goodness, fancy there being a mozzie lookalike that actually helps us get rid of mozzies! No, I’ve never seen a crane fly. In fact, the first I know a mosquito has visited is when I’ve been bitten, so I rarely see them at all!
September 16, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Interesting you don’t have them there, Sue. We’ve had heaps here of late.
September 16, 2020 at 12:21 am
There was one on my car yesterday morning. I knew it wasn’t a mosquito, but didn’t know anything else…until now. Thanks, AJ!
Deb
September 16, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Serendipitous timing, Deb 🙂
September 16, 2020 at 12:23 am
How big is it? Bigger than a silver dollar?
September 16, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Lol, I have no idea how big a silver dollar is, but the size (this includes legs) would be about an inch diameter at a guess. They are quite big.
September 16, 2020 at 6:18 am
Just so long as I’m not getting bitten by mosquitoes. . .
September 16, 2020 at 6:51 pm
Ugh, totally agree Liz. Not a fan of anything that bites (mosquitoes, ticks, leeches…)
September 16, 2020 at 7:06 am
I have seen one, but I didn’t know what it was! I’m a fan of any critter that reduces the mosquito population!
September 16, 2020 at 6:51 pm
Me too! If I knew how to encourage them to hang around our place I’d do it!