A group of Crane Flies resting on a spider web (Thrypticomyia genus). read description to know more.
They have slender long legs which helps them to rest and hang onto spider webs which provides them some protection against potential predators.When threatened, the group vibrates rapidly to make themselves look invisible. Eventhough physically they resemble mosquitoes most adult craneflies donot feed at all and have a life span of a few days.
Crane fly is a common name referring to any member of the insect family Tipulidae, of the order Diptera, true flies in the superfamily Tipuloidea. Cylindrotominae, Limoniinae, and Pediciinae have been ranked as subfamilies of Tipulidae. The Tipulidae is one of the largest groups of flies, including over 15,000 species and subspecies in 525 genera and subgenera.Thrypticomyia is a genus of crane fly in the family Limoniidae.
The adult female usually contains mature eggs as she emerges from her pupa, and often mates immediately if a male is available. Males also search for females by walking or flying. Copulation takes a few minutes to hours and may be accomplished in flight. Adults have a lifespan of 10 to 15 days.
There is an enduring urban legend that crane flies are the most venomous insects in the world, but have no ability to administer the venom; this is not true.The adult crane fly is completely harmless.
Despite widely held beliefs that adult crane flies (or "mosquito hawks") prey on mosquito populations, the adult crane fly is anatomically incapable of killing or consuming other insects.Although the adults of some species may feed on nectar, the adults of many species have such short lifespans that they do not eat at all.