Crane Fly Larvae in Turf

en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Description

Adult crane flies (Tipula spp.) are large insects that resemble giant mosquitoes (Figure 1). Although the crane fly wingspan may be two inches across, they are clumsy and weak fliers and can often be seen resting on the side of a building or structure. Crane fly larvae, or maggots, are approximately 2-3 inches long and have no legs, unlike caterpillars (Figure 2). Over time, the larvae develop a tough outer skin and can sometimes be referred to as “leatherjackets”.

Adult crane fly on a leaf
2 Crane fly larvae on soil.

Pest Status

Although intimidating looking due to their large size, crane fly adults cannot bite and are not associated with transmitting human diseases. Crane fly larvae, however, can cause damage in a number of field crops including turf, pasture, forestry and agricultural crops beds.

Biology

Crane flies emerge in summer, fly, mate, and lay their eggs in the thatch of the grass. Eggs hatch and small, brown larvae feed throughout the fall until they overwinter. As temperatures increase in the spring, larvae continue feeding and maturing. In early summer, larvae pupate just below the soil surface.

Damage

Crane fly larvae chew on the roots and crowns of the turf and larger instars will come up at night to feed on the foliar tissue. Damage is usually more noticeable late fall and in spring when larger, overwintered larvae have resumed feeding. Damage typically starts as a general thinning of the turf which progresses to larger, brown patches (Figure 3). Unless they occur in large numbers, crane flies are considered nuisance pests on golf courses.

Patchy lawn due to crane fly damage

Control

Cultural Control

Proper mowing and fertilization to encourage a healthy turfgrass stand will minimize the likelihood of a crane fly infestation and help turf outgrow damage as it occurs. Avoid irrigating the turf under wet conditions if eggs are present and provide better drainage for chronically wet areas. Allowing the grass to dry will increase the likelihood of egg desiccation (drying out). Remove excess thatch to minimize habitat areas for crane fly larvae.

Biological Control

Birds, ground beetles and parasitic organisms can reduce crane fly populations in areas with fewer inputs. Applications of the insect-parasitic nematode Steinernema feltiae may give up to 50% reduction when properly applied.

Chemical Control

Crane flies are generally more of an issue in the northeast, particularly in cool-season grasses. Control measures are rarely required in North Carolina. Soapy water flushes may be a good diagnostic tool for determining the size of maggot populations.

Table 1. Insecticides for control of crane fly larvae in turf.
Insecticide and Formulation Amount per 1,000 sq ft Precaution and Remarks
chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn) 0.184 to .367 fl oz Higher rate may be needed for older instars.
carbaryl* (Sevin) 80 WSP 6 fl oz

clothianidin (Arena) 50 WDG

0.22 to 0.29 oz

Apply in the spring, when larvae are mature but prior to pupation