crane fly True fly of the order Diptera. It has a slender body, long fragile legs, and one pair of wings. The hindwings are reduced to special balancing organs called halteres. The larvae, leatherjackets, live in the soil where they feed on plant roots and stems, frequently becoming serious agricultural pests. Family Tipulidae; species Tipula simplex. Length: to 3cm (1.2in). The name is also given to the harvestman.

crane fly • n. a slender, two-winged fly (family Tipulidae) with very long legs, in particular the large and common Tipula maxima.