Crane Fly (Tipula oleraceaa) Adult Sighted

Observation: Some insects that we have never seen here in town have been walking around. According to the observers, they crawl like spiders and their pincers open and close while walking. These are insects that we have never seen and are a threat to the ecosystem that we have here. We don't need new insects arriving and eating anything except mosquitoes! Maija Lukin

UAF Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Consult: Pest Management Program, "This is a crane fly adult (Genus Tipula oleraceaa) with underdeveloped wings. There are several reasons why the wings might not develop correctly but I would hesitate to guess why in this case without much more information. There are no records for crane flies in Kotzebue in the museum collection. This is likely due to a general lack of information on insect ranges in Alaska. There are records for both families in northwest Alaska, just not specifically Kotzebue." Jessie Moan

Resource:

• InsectIdentification.org for the casual observer