Nutrition
Young larvae of the Order Diptera feed on rotting vegetable
matter, the roots of grass, germinating cereal seeds, and some
parts of young aerial plant (Arthur and Garrison 2004). In the
larval stage, Tipula submaculata feed on decaying vegetation,
fungi, and roots. When they are in the adult stage, however,
they drink only water and do not feed. (Red Planet Inc. 2012).
Some species have been found feeding nectar, but this is
relatively rare.(Young 2008) .
Larvae feed on vegetation and roots such as these
In some cases several species of Tipula can serve as a host to pseudoscorpians and mites which attach to the crane flies. Although most of these relationships are commensal, some mites have been reported to become parasitic and feed on the body fluid of their host (Young 2005). Also, the fungus Entompophthora has been shown to be parasitic to crane flies (Interactions with other species).
To Return Home
Continue to Reproduction