Gransnet forums

Science/nature/environment

Crane flies ?

(16 Posts)
DiscoGran Mon 13-Sept-21 16:15:46

I'm sure there is a point for them in nature, but I really don't like them, they give me the heebie jeebies.

Callistemon Mon 13-Sept-21 16:20:48

I don't like them either but wonder if they are on the decline/endangered as I used to see dozens but have only seen two this year (one in the kitchen this morning, probably it's still there somewhere).

tanith Mon 13-Sept-21 16:36:17

Haven't seen any this but I hate it when there are hundreds on the grass as I walk across the park. Heebie jeebies is right lol.

Santana Mon 13-Sept-21 17:30:19

They actually come out of the grass as the larvae (leather jackets) feed off the roots of the grass. Hence my artificial lawn as the grass died every year unless it was treated.

Wheniwasyourage Mon 13-Sept-21 18:15:32

Now you mention it, Callistemon, I haven't seen as many as usual this year either. There are still bees, hoverflies and butterflies (mostly peacocks) around in reasonable numbers though, which is reassuring.

Georgesgran Mon 13-Sept-21 18:51:34

DD2 is terrified of them but won’t kill them so her DH can spend ages herding one outside. She’s got a Giant Hawks-moth caterpillar in her garden though and is fascinated with it. It’s weird but wonderful.

Callistemon Mon 13-Sept-21 19:07:56

I really don't like them either. What terrified me was walking across common land many years ago and, as tanith experienced, there were hundreds of them, flying up around my legs with every step.
If any came into the bedroom and rattled around the light I would dive under the bedclothes and yell for my Dad to come and deal with them.

FannyCornforth Mon 13-Sept-21 19:12:11

As a child and teen I was absolutely terrified of them (this causes me great embarrassment; they’re just tiny animals)
Anyway, I’m not bothered at all about them now

Shelbel Mon 13-Sept-21 19:13:00

I got a nasty nip from one last year. I'm avoiding them now. There are various types I discovered and some do bite.

Georgesgran Mon 13-Sept-21 19:22:54

My nightmare is those big hairy moths!! Many years ago, I’d hired an overbed tanning machine. The room got very hot, so the windows had to be opened and the bright light attracted a moth. It landed on my chest and I was in such a panic, I tried to sit up, nearly knocked myself out on the light canopy and then fell off the bed trying to escape it.

grannyrebel7 Mon 13-Sept-21 21:24:17

I saw one today actually, the first one I've seen for ages. I'm quite fond of a daddy long legs myself.

3dognight Mon 13-Sept-21 21:37:48

With daddy long legs it depends how big and dark in colour they are, it’s the way their legs dangle. The thought of one getting tangled in my hair…
Moths, big ones utterly terrifying indoors. I put a pair of jeans on once and a big moth was inside.

NotTooOld Mon 13-Sept-21 21:59:44

Please nobody mention house spiders. shock

SueDonim Mon 13-Sept-21 22:33:03

Too late, NotTooOld! Dh just got up to do something whilst holding our cat and a spider ran out from under his chair. The cat nearly got dropped and Dh was dancing about like his pants were on fire! grin. We haven’t found the arachnid yet. ??

I loath daddy long legs as well, but not quite as much as spiders.

Teacheranne Mon 13-Sept-21 22:47:13

It’s odd really, spiders really panic me but I don’t mind the odd daddy long legs although I still have to get rid of them. Mind you, the one that flew down my open necked nightie the other night and fluttered around my boobs made me jump!

annodomini Mon 13-Sept-21 23:09:06

I can cope with spiders, but daddy-long-legs have always annoyed me. If I find one in my bedroom, I turn out the light, keep the door open and leave the landing light on. Most nocturnal insects will make for the light. I am sad that so many people fear moths. They are just like butterflies, but, because they fly at night, have come to be a cause for fear and even panic. If you really look at a moth, it's a fascinating insect, has interesting patterns. There's a huge variety of moths and the only one I want to exterminate is the little clothes moth which will lay eggs from which the caterpillars will emerge and eat my best sweaters.