Crane flies live on average as adults for about 1 to 3 days, during which their main focus is reproduction. Some sources mention a slightly longer adult lifespan of up to 10 to 15 days or even a fortnight, but most agree that the adult stage is very short. The majority of their life is spent in the larval stage, which can last several weeks to a few months, or even years in some species living in arctic climates.
Adult Lifespan
- Typically 1 to 3 days focused on mating and laying eggs.
- Some species or sources note up to 10-15 days or about two weeks.
- Adults often do not feed and may lack mouthparts.
Larval Stage
- The larval "leatherjacket" stage is the longest, lasting several weeks to months.
- Some arctic species' larvae may live up to 5 years.
- Larvae feed on organic matter or roots in moist soil.
Summary
While the larval stage duration varies significantly by species and environment, the adult crane fly lives a very short life mostly dedicated to reproduction, averaging just a few days up to two weeks maximum.
