From http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Cranefly :
"The crane flies are a family (Tipulidae) of insects resembling giant mosquitoes. Like the mosquito, they are in the order Diptera (flies). They are sometimes called mosquito eaters, mosquito hawks, or skeeter eaters. They are also one of three unrelated arthropods named Daddy long-legs. The other two are the harvestmen and vibrating, cellar or house spider. As such, Crane Flies are wrapped up in the myth of being the most poisonous spider, but unable to bite humans. This is incorrect, and the myth was not intended to refer to Crane Flies, as they are not spiders at all. They do bite humans; in fact, adult crane flies live for only a few days to mate, and do not feed at all (some species' adults may occasionally lap nectar, but always search for human blood)."
How comforting to know that they do bite humans. 😉
Originally posted by NordlysAccording to wikipedia, they do not bite humans. I think the "not" is just missing in the article I quoted. The text makes much more sense with the "not", and I also found it very surprising that they are supposed to bite because I have never seen them do it.
From http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Cranefly :
"The crane flies are a family (Tipulidae) of insects resembling giant mosquitoes. Like the mosquito, they are in the order Diptera (flies). They are sometimes called mosquito eaters, mosquito hawks, or skeeter eaters. They are also one of three unrelated arthropods named Daddy long-legs. The other ...[text shortened]... ar, but always search for human blood)."
How comforting to know that they do bite humans. 😉
Originally posted by NordlysThe wikipedia entry on crane flies suggest exactly the opposite, saying they do not bite humans, and indeed live only on nectar. Who do we believe?
From http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Cranefly :
"The crane flies are a family (Tipulidae) of insects resembling giant mosquitoes. Like the mosquito, they are in the order Diptera (flies). They are sometimes called mosquito eaters, mosquito hawks, or skeeter eaters. They are also one of three unrelated arthropods named Daddy long-legs. The other ...[text shortened]... ar, but always search for human blood)."
How comforting to know that they do bite humans. 😉
Edit: Ah. Nordlys beat me to it.
Originally posted by NordlysIs that sort of like how the "No" isn't supposed to be there at the beginning of your forum title.
According to wikipedia, they do not bite humans. I think the "not" is just missing in the article I quoted. The text makes much more sense with the "not", and I also found it very surprising that they are supposed to bite because I have never seen them do it.
Originally posted by mosquitorespectI don't know why, but they bother me a lot less than most other insects and spiders (eeeeeeek! ), including harvestmen.
I don't know why, but crane flies scare me too, more than anything like wasps, scorpions or spiders. And this is even though I know they are harmless. I just hate them so much, the way they always seem to find your hair. They give me the shivers.
Originally posted by ark13I think he's talking about something very different . Over there daddy longlegs may refer to a flying insect . But here "daddy longlegs" is the common name for a spider like creature called the "harvestman" . It's a primitive line of beasties that's marked by the head , abdomen , and thorax all being fused together . And as you stated before the body is raised substantially above the ground on very thin long legs .
I've never seen one fly, or seen one with wings. I still don't believe you.
EDIT: Back me up on this one Moldy.
EDIT 2: They may be an insect that just looks like a spider, but they definetely can't fly.
I've heard they are very poisonous . But not the bite of them . They are poisonous to ingest as their body contains toxins evolved to discourage predators from doing so .