crane fly

any of numerous nonbiting insects constituting the family Tipulidae, inhabiting damp areas and resembling a large mosquito with extremely long legs.

Origin of crane fly

First recorded in 1650–60

crane-fly, adjective

cranbrook, crance iron, cranch, crandall, crane, crane fly, cranesbill, cranford, crani-, craniad, cranial

He next, therefore, cut off the poisers of a crane-fly (Tipula crocata), and found that it buzzed when it moved the wing.

An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. II (of 4) |William Kirby
Crane-fly (Tipula oleracea), a, female; b, larva ('leather-jacket' grub).

The Life-Story of Insects |Geo. H. Carpenter
Then there is the crane-fly, whose balancers you can see quite easily.

The Animal World, A Book of Natural History |Theodore Wood
On cutting off both the poisers of a crane-fly, he says it was unable either to fly or walk.

The Life of an Insect |Anonymous

Crane-fly larvae are frequently seriously destructive locally in grass and wheat fields.

Our Vanishing Wild Life |William T. Hornaday

crane fly

any dipterous fly of the family Tipulidae, having long legs, slender wings, and a narrow body Also called (Brit): daddy-longlegs