crane fly

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 by most authors, though occasionally elevated to family rank. In the most recent classifications, only Pediciidae is now ranked as a separate family, due to considerations of paraphyly. In colloquial speech the crane fly is sometimes known as daddy longlegs, a term also used to describe opiliones or the family pholcidae, both of which are arachnids. The larvae of crane flies are known commonly as leatherjackets.