Harmless, slow-flying dipteran (family Tipulidae) usually found around water or abundant vegetation.
It ranges in size from tiny to slightly over 1 in. (2.5 cm) long. Larvae of the range crane fly ( Tipula simplex ) are called leatherjackets because of their tough brown skin. In northern latitudes a wingless crane-fly species is found on snow. The crane fly is also called daddy longlegs in English-speaking countries other than the U.S. (in the U.S., daddy longlegs refers to an arachnid ).