Adults and larvae do not feed on mosquitoes. Occasionally, the segments towards the end of the body can be greatly expanded. There are many species of these flies that occur in Texas. Adults emerge in February and March. Larvae have chewing mouthparts.
Crane fly larvae feed primarily on decomposing organic matter.
Adults do not feed. They commonly occur in moist environments such as woodlands, streams and flood plains although some species inhabit open fields, dry rangeland and even desert environments. In compost piles, they often occur on the soil surface below the pile of decaying vegetation. Some species have been reported to feed on roots of forage crops, turf grasses and seedling field crops. Usually their presence causes little concern because they are assisting in the process of decomposition.