Crane Fly Larva

Natural Habitat

Damp soil, rotting wood, leaf litter, and aquatic environments like ponds or streams.

Diet & Feeding

Mostly detritivorous, feeding on decaying organic matter, roots of grasses, and small aquatic organisms.

Behavior Patterns

Often called 'leatherjackets,' they spend most of their life in the larval stage underground or underwater before emerging as winged adults to mate.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; however, some species can be pests in lawns and agriculture by consuming plant roots. They are beneficial as decomposers and a food source for birds and fish.

Identified on: 2/3/2026