Can Crane Flies Bite?
Crane flies, despite their sometimes intimidating size and resemblance to giant mosquitoes, do not bite humans. Adult crane flies actually have very short or non-functional mouthparts. Most adult crane flies don’t feed at all; if they do, it’s usually just sipping nectar.
The confusion often comes from their appearance—they can look like oversized mosquitoes—but they pose no threat to people and cannot transmit diseases. Their larvae, sometimes called leatherjackets, feed on plant roots and can damage lawns or crops, but they do not bite humans either.
Do Crane Flies Bite?
Crane flies do not bite under any circumstances. Adult crane flies lack the mouthparts necessary to pierce skin, and their primary purpose as adults is reproduction—not feeding on blood. Any “biting” behavior you might have heard about is a misunderstanding of their appearance or accidental contact. The situations that sometimes lead people to think crane flies are biting are usually:
Accidental brushing against skin: A crane fly landing on your arm or leg might tickle or brush against you, creating a sensation that can be mistaken for a bite.
Misidentification: Large mosquitoes, horseflies, or other biting insects are often mistaken for crane flies because of their similar size or long legs.
There are no real situations where crane flies bite, and any perceived “bite” is either a misidentification or just a harmless brush against skin.
Crane Fly Bites
Since crane flies cannot bite, there are no true “crane fly bites.” Any marks you might see on your skin that you think are from crane flies are caused by other insects or external factors, not the crane fly itself.
If someone mistakes crane flies for mosquitoes or similar biting insects, the “bite” could look like:
Small red bumps – typical of mosquito bites, often itchy.
Raised welts – sometimes from horseflies, black flies, or gnats.
If you notice bumps after being around crane flies, it’s almost certainly coincidental, caused by a different insect, not the crane fly.