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    Mosquito Eater

    Lollygaggers, gallinippers, gollywhoppers, doizabizzlers, flipadoodles...These are not magic words, but are actually some of the terms used to call crane flies, the large mosquito-looking insects. They are not a mutation of any mosquito specie, but are known members of the fly family. It has several other names like daddy longlegs, mosquito eaters, chicken flies, mosquito hawks, leather jackets, Jimmy Spinners, and skeeter eaters.

    Physically, crane flies look exactly like very large mosquitoes, with long legs and thin abdomen. Their wings can be seen wide open when they are resting. But unlike mosquitoes, the crane flies are not good fliers. They fly in quivery patterns and can easily be caught without the need for too much effort. They have weak legs that easily break off when handled.

    The crane fly is practically one of the most misunderstood insect in the world. While it is widely known as mosquito eater or mosquito hawk on most parts of the United States, it is not a mosquito, nor does it feed on one. Sorry to disappoint those who are thinking of breeding the crane flies in the hope of bringing the mosquito species to extinction. You have to find other insects that do find mosquitoes as a good meal option.

    These so-called mosquito eaters, their larvae and pupae most specifically, feed on decomposing matters like grass and roots of plants. The adult crane flies never feed. This disproves the myth that they are mosquito eaters. Their only purpose of existence is to mate and lay eggs. So how can they survive with all the mating and not eating? They don't. Crane flies only live for a few days after becoming adults. But for the most part of their adult life, they can either just mate before dying, or serve as a diet for birds and mammals.

    It is interesting how crane flies have gotten around to being called as mosquito eaters. Aside from the fact that it would seem weird to see a large mosquito-looking insect eating a mosquito, crane flies are not endowed with the biting mouth parts. This makes them harmless and prevents them from transmitting any deadly diseases to humans.

    Some people believe that calling the crane flies mosquito eaters is as improper as calling them mosquito hawks. The previous generations considered mosquito hawks to be of another specie. These are supposed to be the bugs that are popularly known as dragonflies. But maybe nobody lived long enough to insist on the names. Anyway, unlike the crane flies which don't do anything much except fly, mate, and lay eggs, the dragonflies are the real mosquito eaters. But as it is, the crane flies have gotten the name for themselves first, however inappropriate.

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