Craneflies

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It's that time of year when you can't open your doors or windows after dark without having your home invaded by hordes of Crane Flies, which have that unfortunate habit of flying straight at your face when you least expect it.

The popular name for these insects is "Daddy Long-legs" on account of the extremely gangly legs.  There are plenty of them about in late summer and early autumn because it's their mating season.  Most of their life is spent undeground as a caterpillar-like larva.  As an adult fly they only live for just a few days, and in that time they have to find a partner, mate and lay their eggs.

You can also spot them during the daytime bobbing up and down in short grass.  The ones doing the bobbing are the females.  Does that make them 'Mummy Long-legs'?  Not sure, but the reason they fly so low to the ground is to deposit their eggs.  The bobbing motion gives them just enough power to stab a hole in the soil with their pointed ovipositor and bury their eggs.

More info at: UK Safari Crane Flies Fact File