Get set for invasion of the daddy-long-legs: Huge numbers set to invade Britain thanks to the warmer weather 

  • Warm weather over the summer means a bumper crop of daddy-long-legs
  • They are expected to invade homes over next few weeks as weather cools
  • Also known as crane flies they emerge in late summer and early autumn

By COLIN FERNANDEZ, ENVIRONMENT EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

Huge numbers of daddy-long-legs are set to invade Britain – helped by the warmer weather.

The insects – also known as crane flies – have been emerging earlier than usual and experts predict ‘bumper’ numbers.

Many can be expected to invade homes as they look for shelter from the chillier nights in the coming weeks. 

The insects – known as crane flies – are emerging earlier than usual and experts predict ‘bumper’ numbers will begin invading British homes over coming weeks as they shelter from the cold (file picture)

The insects – known as crane flies – are emerging earlier than usual and experts predict ‘bumper’ numbers will begin invading British homes over coming weeks as they shelter from the cold (file picture)

Entomologist Barry Warrington, from Hull, said: ‘It is definitely a bumper year this year, simply due to the nice weather.

‘It has not been as cold, there is a lot more for them to prey on.‘I think last year was a bit colder, so there wasn’t as many daddy long legs, but this year there are more than last.

‘Warmer conditions suit them more, and they are actually out earlier than usual this year.

‘They eat smaller insects and the warm weather is good for them too.

FEMALE DADDY-LONG-LEGS LAY UP TO 300 EGGS IN JUST ONE SITTING

* Daddy-long-legs – also known as crane flies - range in size from a couple of millimetres to the impressive Tipula maxima with a 7.5cm wingspan.

* The long legs which give the insect its nickname can be jettisoned to allow rapid escape when caught in the grip of a predator.

* When flying, the delicate legs act as feelers, splayed in front to warn of obstacles.

* The adult female uses her pointed abdomen to stab the ground before laying up to 300 eggs.

*The larvae are known as leatherjackets and can leave brown patches on the lawn as they eat grass roots

* It is estimated there are 1.7 million of these hairless grubs per hectare of meadowland.

*They only live around two weeks after hatching

* The cream-coloured grubs are around one inch long and live and feed up to two inches below the soil surface for ten months.

* The grubs are a favourite food of sparrows, who drill pencil-like holes in lawns to scoop them out.

* Fishermen favour the adult flies as bait for rainbow trout, brown trout, sea trout and salmon.

* Some crane flies create a haze of 'press-ups' to confuse predators. They bob up and down on their legs, leaving their body outline as a just a blur. 

‘People will start to see them even more in the last couple of weeks as they head indoors for warmth, shelter and to find a mate.’

Their larvae, called leatherjackets, live under lawns during the winter, spring and summer with many often killed off by icy weather. 

Adult crane flies emerge from pupae in the late summer and early autumn.

But experts say a mild winter means more of them have survived than usual, and the recent warmer weather means there are plenty of smaller insects around now for them to eat.

Kevin Thom, of Edinburgh’s Butterfly and Insect World, said: ‘There was no big frost to speak of this year, so it may be something to do with that – less were killed off.’ 

‘I have certainly noticed an increase in numbers, hovering around in my back garden.

‘They are out competing for a mate and are territorial, so you might start to see a few missing legs and battle wounds soon.’

While many people might not be enjoying the creepy home invaders, the increased population is good news for birds.

Graeme Skinner, managing director at Naturally Wild - an ecology specialist in Middlesbrough - said: ‘The weather has been pretty good for all insects this year.

‘The mild winter we had last year has had a long term effect - a lot of animals that would usually be curtailed by the cold weather simply aren’t.

‘And while lots of people don’t particularly like them, birds certainly do.

‘Birds at this time of year are trying to fatten up for that people think might be a bad winter, so it is good for them to have plenty to eat.’

Most species of adult crane fly only live to mate once before they die with a lifespan of two weeks.

They are an important source of food for creatures such as birds and spiders, and are often seen caught up in household cobwebs. 

Most species of adult crane fly only live to mate once before they die with a lifespan of two weeks

Most species of adult crane fly only live to mate once before they die with a lifespan of two weeks

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