crane fly larvae

Crane flies, also known as cousins, are larger, mosquito-like flying insects. Adults are usually between 1 and 3 cm long and have long, slender wings, slender legs and an elongated head with a long proboscis. Adult crane flies do not cause significant damage to plants, but their larvae can be a serious pest of lawns and crops.

Leatherjacket larvae are cylindrical grubs that can reach up to 5 cm in length. They live in the soil and feed on the roots of plants, which can cause significant damage to crops and lawns. The larvae overwinter in the soil and pupate in the spring before emerging as adults in the summer.

Nematodes are an effective biological control method against crane fly larvae. Nematodes are microorganisms that feed on pest larvae in the soil. Steinernema feltiae nematodes are specific to crane fly larvae and can be applied directly to the soil using a watering can or sprayer. The nematodes infect the larvae and kill them within days, reducing the larval populations in the soil.