When the flies enter the home, they can become a nuicause. Crane flies do not bite or sting. In fact, they really do not feed on much of anything. Their emergence, marking early spring, is their time for mating and dispursing. Occasionally, the segments towards the end of the body can be greatly expanded.
Crane fly larvae feed primarily on decomposing organic matter.
They commonly occur in moist environments such as woodlands and flood planes although some species inhabit open fields, dry rangeland and even desert environments. They are often encountered under layers of decomposing leaves in wet locations such as ditch banks in December and January. In compost piles, they often occur on the soil surface below the pile of decaying vegetation. Larvae have not been reported to feed on vegetable transplants or garden plants in Texas. Management Preventing adults from entering the home can be accomplished by assuring that window and door screens are in place and in good repair.