The rostrum (a snout) is short to very short with a beak-like point called the nasus (rarely absent). Tipulidae are medium to large-sized flies ( 7вЂ“35В mm, 1вЃ„ 4вЂ“ 1 + 1вЃ„ 2В in) with elongated legs, wings, and abdomen. Most crane flies were described by the entomologist Charles Paul Alexander, a fly specialist, in over 1000 research publications.

Tipulidae is one of the largest groups of flies, including over 15,000 species and subspecies in 525 genera and subgenera. They are most diverse in the tropics but are also common in northern latitudes and high elevations. Д¬rown group crane flies have existed since at least the Barremian stage of the Early Cretaceous and are found worldwide, though individual species usually have limited ranges. The larvae of crane flies are known commonly as leatherjackets.

In colloquial speech, crane flies are sometimes known as ' mosquito hawks', ' skeeter-eater', or ' daddy longlegs', (a term also used to describe opiliones (harvestmen) and members of the spider family Pholcidae, both of which are arachnids). In the most recent classifications, only Pediciidae is now ranked as a separate family, due to considerations of paraphyly. Cylindrotominae, Limoniinae, and Pediciinae have been ranked as subfamilies of Tipulidae by most authors, though occasionally elevated to family rank. Nephrotoma appendiculata (spotted crane fly)Д¬rane fly is a common name referring to any member of the insect family Tipulidae.

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