Males swarm at dusk with mating occurring after females enter the swarm. Midges overwinter in the larval stage. They are beneficial as an important item of food for many freshwater fish and other aquatic animals. Larvae are aquatic or semiaquatic, found in moist sand, mud, decaying vegetation of salt and freshwater marshes, ponds and streams. They are believed to be scavengers.
Crane flies occur chiefly in damp situations with abundant vegetation.
Larvae are aquatic or semiaquatic, feeding on decaying vegetable matter. Others feed on living plants and may cause damage especially to turf and pasture. Some feed on flowers, certain vegetables and small fruits. Others are predaceous. Little is known of the adult feeding habits, but some possess a long slender proboscis and feed on plant nectar.