Good Bug or Bad Bug?

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Posted by plantveggies (My Page) on

Sat, Jun 7, 14 at 18:40

What is it? Sorry for the fuzzy picture. Thanks!

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RE: Good Bug or Bad Bug?

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Posted by digdirt 6b-7a North AR (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 7, 14 at 19:57

Can't tell the wing angle from the blurry pic but it is a member of the Fly order (Diptera) - possibly caddis or one of the many syrphid. He's mostly a beneficial as the larvae eat aphids.

Why? Are you seeing lots of them or damage to the plants?

Dave

PS: bugguide.net is worth bookmarking if you want to ID lots of bugs.

RE: Good Bug or Bad Bug?

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Posted by tcstoehr Z8 Canby OR (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 7, 14 at 20:55

Looks like a Crane Fly. I don't think of them as any sort of problem, although they do have subterranean larvae that in large numbers can be problematic in lawns. In any case, I doubt they cause any problem in your veg garden. I don't think they even eat anything as adults.

RE: Good Bug or Bad Bug?

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Posted by LKZZ 7b (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 8, 14 at 12:02

I vote crane fly.
Should not be a danger - adults mate and die - don't even eat.

Adult
The main goal of the adult crane fly in the spring is mating. During the adult stage, the crane fly does not eat. For the short 10- to 15-day period, the adults mate on plants or in the air near the water. Afterwards, the female deposits her eggs. When mating and egg distribution is complete, female dies. The male only lives up to 15 days as well.

It is true that the early stages of the creature's development can be a lawn problem: http://lakewhatcom.wsu.edu/gardenkit/unwantedpests/cranefly.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: THE LIFESPAN OF A CRANE FLY

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