 | Description: About 25mm long, this very common long-legged fly is also known as the Daddy Long Legs. They have very fragile legs, which can easily break off during handling (the male shown on the left has one leg missing). The male has a swollen tip to his abdomen, but the female has a pointed tip which she uses to push her eggs into the soil. The larvae are the infamous root eating "leatherjackets", much disliked by gardeners everywhere. They also come to the surface at night and chew the base of stems. Large numbers may live under the lawn. Food & Habits: Adult flies rarely feed. They are on the wing for most of the year, but most common in autumn when they swarm over our lawns and come to lighted windows at night. They rest with their wings outstretched and are commonly seen on house and garden walls. Habitat and Range: Parks, gardens and grasslands of all kinds. Found throughout the UK. Similar Species: T. oleracea is similar, but most common in Spring. |