On Tenterhooks

Photographed here is a Tipula oleracea male – commonly known as a Daddy Longleg – holding onto some winter barley, using the hooks on the end of its legs.

The larvae of this cranefly can do severe damage to agricultural crops, as they feed actively on the roots. As such, it is important to correctly identify both adults and larvae to their species level, as different species have different lifecycles.

Photo and description by: Aisling Moffat, Teagasc Walsh Scholar

Teagasc project: Leatherjacket Biocontrol
(in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College and the University of Edinburgh)