Cranefly closeup

This is nice! These critters are just the gentlest things. I'd heard a myth they eat mosquito's, but its been discreditted. They may eat the larva though and thats welcome. I like them anyway. This one is a interesting color.

Only problem with them is they lay eggs in the lawns and the larvae eat the roots of the grass, so you end up with big brown patches.

Hmmm, this I didn't know. I've never maintained lawn. I'll have to ask those with brown patches if they have these around. Thanks.

They can be controlled biologically with nematodes, but I've never done that. Apparently around 100 species of birds like to eat the larvae so think I'll just leave it to them! I really have no desire to create the perfect lawn anyway!