Link to Tanyderid Database

Tanyderus pictus, the type for the primitive crane flies, is a rare fly found only in southern Chile. The larvae are unknown, but are presumed to live in or near streams. Protoplasa fitchii is the most common and widespread among these rare primitive crane flies in North America, but less than 100 adult specimens are in museum collections. Protoplasa fitchii ranges from Quebec and Nova Scotia in the north and south to northwestern Florida. The larvae occur in the sandy soil at the margins of large streams. These rare flies have a very short life, a day or two, emerging in late spring (March - April in the south, May - June in the north.)

Primitive crane flies are relicts of the early radiation of flies. Only a few species have survived and are now restricted to specialized niches and geographical areas. Hence, these flies are considered amongst the rarest of all Diptera. Their shape is that of the typical crane fly (often confused as giant mosquitoes), long narrow body, with long antenna, legs and wings. Their size ranges from 10 - 40 mm in length. The wings are broad with striking brown stripes or bands.

Thirty-eight species are known and classified into 10 genera. The family has a bipolar pattern of distribution (restricted to landmasses in the temperate north and south, but absent from the tropics).

Primitive craneflies hold the clues to the higher classification and the history of flies (order Diptera). The adults display characters that are only found in ancient fossils and related orders. The larvae display characters that relate them to mosquitoes and non-biting midges, which may mean that these files are also very old or that primitive crane flies are not so primitive! So, the challenge for us is to learn more about these rare and unusual beautities and unlock 200 millions years of fly history.

Literature on primitive crane flies is limited and scattered. There are no modern monographic treatments nor regional revisions. No comprehensive work on the biology has ever been published.

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