Crane Fly (mosquito hawk, mosquito eater) - An adult crane fly (Tipulidae), resembling an oversized mosquito, typically has a slender body and stilt-like legs around an inch long. Adults have a lifespan of 10 to 15 days. Despite rumors to the contrary, the crane fly is neither a predator of mosquitoes nor a colossal mosquito. And it’s harmless. Crane flies like moist, vegetative, outdoor habitats, and are usually seen around a home on external walls and window screens. They lay their eggs in moist soil and when the larvae emerge, they feed on the roots of grasses, decaying organic matter, decaying wood, vegetation, and turf. Some larvae also feed on small aquatic insects, invertebrates, and any decaying plant life found near the surface of streams.