Tipula

Tipula is a very large insect genus in the fly family Tipulidae (crane flies). The members of this genus are sometimes collectively called common crane flies.[1] Tipula contains over 2,000 species located throughout the world.[2]

Tipula
Tipula luna male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Tipulidae
Tribe:	Tipulini
Genus:	Tipula Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Tipula oleracea Linnaeus, 1758
Subgenera
Acutipula Alexander, 1924 Afrotipula Alexander, 1955 Arctotipula Alexander, 1934 Bellardina Edwards, 1931 Beringotipula Savchenko, 1961 Dendrotipula Savchenko, 1964 Emodotipula Alexander, 1966 Eremotipula Alexander, 1965 Eumicrotipula Alexander, 1923 Formotipula Matsumura, 1916 Hesperotipula Alexander, 1947 Indratipula Alexander, 1970 Kalatipula Alexander, 1971 Labiotipula Alexander, 1965 Lindnerina Mannheims, 1965 Lunatipula Edwards, 1931 Mediotipula Pierre, 1924 Microtipula Alexander, 1912 Nesotipula Alexander, 1921 Nippotipula Matsumura, 1916 Nobilotipula Alexander, 1943 Odonatisca Savchenko, 1956 Papuatipula Alexander, 1935 Pectinotipula Alexander, 1920 Platytipula Matsumura, 1916 Pterelachisus Rondani, 1842 Ramatipula Alexander, 1971 Savtshenkia Alexander, 1965 Schummelia Edwards, 1931 Serratipula Alexander, 1965 Setitipula Alexander, 1965 Sinotipula Alexander, 1935 Sivatipula Alexander, 1964 Spinitipula Alexander, 1963 Tipula Linnaeus, 1758 Tipulodinodes Alexander, 1965 Trichotipula Alexander, 1915 Triplicitipula Alexander, 1965 Vestiplex Bezzi, 1924 Yamatotipula Matsumura, 1916

Like all crane flies, Tipula species have long bodies and long legs, somewhat resembling large mosquitos. Adults generally have a body length of 15-20 mm. They are usually brown with clear or brownish wings. They feed on nectar and are active throughout the year. Tipula maggots are sometimes known as "leather jackets" due to their tough skin.[1]

Technical description: Discal cell present ; M3 arises from M4 ; all tibiae spurred Antennae with whorls of long hairs. Rs usually long ; Sc ends far from base of Rs ; cell 4 always petiolate ; body colour usually grey, brown or dull yellow, rarely black ; praescutal stripes (when present) usually dull, rarely slightly shining.

Species of Tipula can be affected by fungal diseases, such as Zoophthora porteri, found in Tennessee, USA.[3]