Marianne's Response

Type of bug

I live in. Port Townsend, Washington. I’m hoping you might be able to identify a flying insect without a picture…..Do you have any idea what a reddish-orange, slow-flying, lacy-winged, kinda long-bodied insect that is flying around right now (Mid-August) might be? They seem to be flying closer to my fruit vines (which no longer have fruit this year). The fly slowly enough that my hens can jump and catch them mid-air. I can’t find a picture with Google to show you what mine what look like. And I haven’t been able to get a picture. Thanks.

Posted by Debbie Nighswonger on August 17, 2018

Marianne's Response

Sounds like crane fly. These are large flying insects that rather resemble giant mosquitoes. They will not harm your vines. They are looking for mates and will lay eggs in your grass. Then the larvae  (which look like thick, gray, short worms) will feed on the lawn until the birds come and feed on the larvae. Nothing to worry about. Some years they are just more noticeable than others. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti