Limoniidae

Limoniidae is a family of flies within the order Diptera, commonly referred to as crane flies. Members of the family are generally small to medium‑sized insects with slender bodies, long legs, and delicate wings that often display a distinct vein pattern. The family comprises over 10,000 described species distributed worldwide, occurring in a range of habitats from temperate woodlands to tropical rainforests and from lowland marshes to alpine meadows.

Adult limoniids are typically weak fliers and are most frequently observed near moist environments where they rest on vegetation or near water. Their mouthparts are reduced, and many species do not feed as adults, while others consume nectar or other liquid substrates. The larvae are primarily detritivores or saproxylic, feeding on decaying plant material, fungi, or organic matter in soil, leaf litter, or aquatic substrates. Some species have aquatic larvae that inhabit the margins of streams, ponds, or marshes, where they play a role in nutrient recycling.

The family is divided into several subfamilies and tribes, reflecting considerable morphological and ecological diversity. Key diagnostic features include the presence of a well‑developed anal cell in the wing, a distinctive arrangement of wing veins, and the structure of the male genitalia. Limoniidae are often confused with members of the closely related family Tipulidae, but can be distinguished by differences in wing venation and the morphology of the ovipositor in females.

Limoniid species are of interest in ecological studies because of their sensitivity to habitat changes and their function as bioindicators for wetland health. Although most are not of economic importance, occasional species may become a nuisance when larvae are abundant in agricultural soils, leading to minor damage to seedlings.