The local article is entitled "Plague of 200 Billion Daddy Longlegs on the Way"
Apparently the previous mild winter, the warm Summer and recent rain will cause millions upon millions of Crane Flies (daddy longlegs) to emerge. I guess the one shown above, photographed yesterday, was an advance scout checking out the lie of the land.
The larvae, known as leatherjackets, live in the ground and feed on the roots of plants. Crane flies are harmless to us, just a nuisance when they come indoors and spend the remainder of their lives head butting any source of light. Fortunately the adults only live for 10 to 15 days.
I am pleased to read of their lifespan. I didn'y know that and it makes the invasion slightly less appalling.
ReplyDeleteWeaver: Let's hope they all emerge at about the same time, get it over with.
Deletei liked your description of them. we get them here, too - some folks mistake them for giant mosquitoes, but they're harmless, too. funny, you call these daddy longlegs. we refer to the harvester spiders by that name.
ReplyDeleteTWG: It can be confusing as both can be called daddy longlegs.
DeleteMy bath has been invaded today by a huge house spider that I haven't steeled myself to move yet. SEcond time I'll have rescued this fellow from the tub!
ReplyDeleteSimon: Go up from the loo the other day and spotted a large spider emerge from under the rim, yikes.
DeleteAfter the first major rain of each rainy season here, we get invaded by "flood flies" which are the flying stage of local termites that go out looking for homes. They shed their wings and then crawl around for a while, but 99% die within about 12 hours. We spend the next day or so sweeping up wings and shriveled bodies from the veranda and around the inside of all the windows - even if they were closed. Hope your crane flies stay outside! Great photo.
DeleteWilma: Don't think I would like to be there at that time of year.
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