Adult crane flies are a common sight in Pacific Northwest summers. You see them bouncing around walls and ceilings, or stuck in spiderwebs, long legs and wings tangled. The size and shape of these insects have earned them nicknames like “mosquito hawk” and “skeeter eater,” but they do not consume mosquitoes. Their larvae, however, are known for eating the roots and shoots of your lawn. Learn how to identify crane flies and prevent damage — months before it shows up as bare patches in your yard.
There are several species of crane fly in the Pacific Northwest, but only the marsh crane fly (Tipula oleracea) and the common European crane fly (Tipula paludosa) damage turfgrass. Both these crane flies are invasive species, native to Europe and northern Africa, and now widespread across much of North America.
The common European crane fly was first detected in Western North America in 1965. The marsh crane fly was not found in the Pacific Northwest until more recently. The marsh crane fly has multiple generations a year, while the common European crane fly has only one generation a year. Both crane fly species are commonly referred to as European crane flies, due to their similarity in origin and appearance, and the damage they cause. These insects prefer regions that receive substantial precipitation. They can be found throughout British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and northern California. More recently, outbreaks have occurred in Bend and in Spokane, Washington.
The winter larval stage of these European crane flies can cause extensive damage to lawns because the insects feed on the turfgrass faster than it can grow.
European crane fly larvae feed on turfgrass shoots, crowns and roots, causing substantial damage in early spring. Proper turfgrass management can substantially reduce the damage caused by this insect. In cases of extreme infestations, scouting and properly timed insecticide applications can prevent turfgrass losses.
Identification, life cycle and damage
The adult European crane fly is a delicate-bodied insect about 1 inch long. It has two functional wings and a pair of specialized smaller wings called halteres — a characteristic distinctive of the order Diptera. Adult European crane flies are tan in color, have a long, thin abdomen, and have wings and legs that stretch the length of the abdomen.
The winter life cycle begins with adult insects that live above ground for the first two weeks in September. During this time, insects are focused on reproduction. They do not feed, but they do drink water. Adult crane flies lay their eggs in low-lying areas with high soil moisture, often next to waterways, in mid-September.
The winter generation of European crane fly hatch in early October. Both eggs and young larvae survive best when fall conditions are rainy. The larvae live underground from early October until the following September — 11 months of the year. They are large, grey, legless maggots with finger-like appendages on the posterior end and no well-defined head. These larvae are often referred to as “leatherjackets.” They reach their maximum size (1 to 1.5 inches long) in December and cause the greatest damage to the shoot, crowns and roots of grass plants in spring.
Aboveground symptoms include thinning turfgrass beginning in February, progressing to total loss of turfgrass in April and May in wet, low-lying areas. Birds, skunks and raccoons will often forage for the larvae in infested areas, causing further damage. In extreme cases, populations reach levels capable of completely destroying a lawn. In these instances, the larvae often move across the soil surface in search of more grass to consume.
Management
The key to managing crane fly is maintaining healthy turfgrass. Follow these recommendations for mowing, watering and fertilizing, and address any drainage issues. Scout for crane fly, and base the use of insecticides on scouting results. Start with cultural management: Properly maintained turfgrass growing in well-drained soil is more resistant to crane fly damage. To keep your lawn healthy, regularly mow, fertilize and irrigate in summer. See Practical Lawn Care for Western Oregon, EC 152.
Mowing
Mow once a week to a height of 2 to 3 inches. Return the grass clippings to the lawn to reduce the need for fertilizer.
Irrigating
Apply 0.25 inch of water four times per week (a total of 1 inch), from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You may need to adjust this amount based on current weather and soil conditions. Frequent summer irrigation is key when trying to maintain turfgrass affected by European crane fly. The crowns and root systems, which were damaged the previous winter and spring, need regular water to recover.
Improving soil drainage
Improving soil drainage will also reduce European crane fly populations. Eggs and young larvae survive best when developing in wet soil, so dry conditions at this stage will increase mortality. Installing French drains and drain tiles with a catch basin or drywell can substantially improve saturated soil conditions. Reduce moisture by stopping irrigation, or irrigating less frequently, around Labor Day. In early September, adult European crane flies search for wet soil in which to lay their eggs. Turning off or reducing irrigation at this time will keep the adults from laying eggs and reduce egg survival. Turfgrass needs less water at this time of the year, when days are shorter and weather is cooler. Reducing irrigation at this time is unlikely to stress turfgrass.
Fertilizing
Perennial ryegrass, which is used west of the Cascades, and Kentucky bluegrass, which is used east of the Cascades, should also receive two fertilizer applications in the spring (around the end of May and June) and two applications in the fall (around the end of September and October) (Table 1). Fertilizer for turfgrass should have high levels of nitrogen, low levels of phosphorus and moderate levels of potassium (sample ratio 25–5–10 N–P–K).
Table 1. Fertilizer rates
| Type of grass | Spring | Fall | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perennial ryegrass (west of the Cascades) | 2 applications of 1 lb each, late May and late June | 2 applications of 1 lb each, late September and late October | 4 lbs |
| Kentucky bluegrass (east of the Cascades) | 2 applications of 1 lb each, late May and late June | 2 applications of 1 lb each, late September and late October | 4 lbs |
| Tall and fine fescue | 1 lb | 1 lb | 2 lbs |
Scouting
Scout for European crane fly in November, December and January. This is when larvae are reaching maturity, but before significant damage has occurred. Scout in low-lying areas where water tends to pool on the surface, or where the soil is often close to saturation. Because of these favorable environmental conditions, adults will often return to the same areas each September to lay their eggs. That’s why you should scout in areas of previous damage. Larval survival can vary widely from year to year based on moisture level, bird predation and other factors, so continue scouting previous problem areas even after a year has passed.
Areas of thinning turfgrass and damage by birds and other foraging animals are clues that suggest high larval populations. In these areas, use a square-end shovel to dig up a section of sod 1 foot long, 1 foot wide and 1 inch deep. Flip the sod layer upside down and inspect the soil for larvae. If you find more than 25 larvae per square feet in well-maintained turfgrass, take action.
Using insecticides
Proper cultural practices — mowing, irrigation, fertilization and efforts to improve soil drainage — come first. If you’ve addressed those issues and still count large populations of larvae (exceeding 25 per square foot), insecticides can help manage crane fly infestations (Table 2, page 5). For best results, apply them in the winter months, before you see damage. Spring applications will not prevent damage, because by then the majority of turfgrass destruction will have already occurred. Applying insecticide in winter will also substantially reduce the risk of exposing pollinators such as honey bees and butterflies. These insects actively forage in spring and summer, when plants are in bloom and temperatures are warm.
If using insecticides that are toxic to bees, don’t apply them when weeds and flowers are blooming in and around lawns. Winter applications will provide optimum European crane fly control and substantially reduce the risk of pollinator exposure.
After applying an insecticide to manage European crane fly, continue to scout for damage and larvae. You may need to make repeated applications over several years for complete control. For more details on suggested insecticides and specific usage rates, refer to the Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook and the insecticide label.
Table 2. Insecticides for use against European crane fly
| Active Ingredients | Commercial products | Action word (human toxicity*) | EPA carcinogen classification | Home lawn use | Restricted use (for licensed applicators) | Toxicity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorantraniliprole | Acelepryn | No signal word | Not likely a human carcinogen | x | Toxic to aquatic organisms | |
| Esfenvalerate | Conquer | Caution | Evidence of noncarcinogen in humans | x | Toxic to aquatic organisms; very toxic to bees | |
| Imidacloprid | Adonis, Malice, Mallet, Merit | Caution | Evidence of noncarcinogen in humans | x | Not very toxic to birds; slightly toxic to fish and aquatic organisms; very toxic to bees and other insects. | |
| Bifenthrin | Talstar | Caution | Possible human carcinogen | x | Low toxicity to birds; highly toxic to fish, aquatic organisms and bees | |
| Carbaryl | Sevin | Caution | Likely a human carcinogen | x | Practically nontoxic or slightly toxic to birds; slightly to moderately toxic to mammals; moderately to highly toxic to fish; highly toxic to earthworms and bees; very highly toxic to shrimp, water fleas and stoneflies. | |
| Clothianidin | Arena | Caution | Not likely a human carcinogen | x | Toxic to aquatic organisms; very toxic to bees | |
| Indoxacarb | Provaunt | Caution | Not likely a human carcinogen | x | Toxic to aquatic organisms; highly toxic to bees | |
| Thiamethoxam | Meridian, Flagship | Caution | Not likely a human carcinogen | x | Toxic to mammals; highly toxic to aquatic organisms and bees | |
| Chlorpyrifos | Dursban, Hatchet, Vulcan, Warhawk | Danger | Evidence of noncarcinogen in humans | x | Very toxic to moderately toxic to birds, depending on the species; very toxic to fish and aquatic organisms; very toxic to bees; toxic to earthworms |
* Expressed as a range from “no signal word” to “caution,” “warning,” “danger” and “danger — poison.”
¡Use los pesticidas con seguridad!
- Póngase ropa de protección y equipo de seguridad según las recomendaciones de la etiqueta. Báñese después de cada uso.
- Lea la etiqueta del pesticida—aunque lo haya usado antes. Siga al pie de la letra las indicaciones de la etiqueta (y cualquiera otra indicación que Ud. tenga).
- Tenga precaución al aplicar los pesticidas. Conozca su responsabilidad legal como aplicador de pesticidas. Usted puede ser responsable de heridas o daños resultantes del uso de un pesticida.
References and resources
- Hollingsworth, C.S. 2019. Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. Turfgrass-Crane fly: European Crane Fly and Common Crane Fly.
- How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides, PNW 591
- Practical Lawn Care for Western Oregon, EC 1521
