Facts, Fiction, and Fun with Mosquito Hawks
Posted by Mosquito Squad
August 8, 2025
Holy mosquito, Batman! Wait a minute – that’s no mosquito – is it?
Ever seen a giant, leggy insect wobbling around your porch light and believed you have either just seen a small bird or a very, very large mosquito? You’re not the only one. Every spring and summer, people across the country brace themselves for an aerial assault from what one might think are giant mosquitoes – they actually look like movie studio mosquito monsters.
These oversized flyers aren’t mosquitoes at all. Maybe you’ve heard them called mosquito hawks, but they’re also commonly called crane flies. And no, they’re not your mosquito-fighting allies either.
Mosquito Hawks Look Like Mosquitoes on Steroids
Crane flies have long, gangly legs, delicate wings, and a general body shape that looks a bit like a mosquito’s body. Well, if that mosquito hit the gym and started taking growth supplements. Some crane flies can have a wingspan of up to 2.5 inches, perhaps inciting fear on-sight. However, despite the resemblance, crane flies are totally harmless. They don’t bite, sting, or suck blood. In fact, most adult crane flies don’t eat anything at all.
The Mosquito Hawk Name is Seriously Misleading
The name mosquito hawk sounds like a bug that swoops down and snacks on mosquitoes like a winged superhero. Unfortunately, we are simply victims of clever branding. Crane flies don’t eat mosquitoes. Not only do they not eat mosquitoes, but they also don’t eat much of anything else. Some mosquito hawks aren’t even equipped with working mouthparts. We can liken the title of mosquito hawk to that of the nickname flower shark given to butterflies (and that’s a tale for another day).
Mosquito Hawks vs. Mosquitoes: Similarities
In addition to their physical appearance, crane flies also come out at the same time of year as when mosquitoes begin to emerge. So, when you see an army of insects suddenly invading your outdoor lights, it’s common to lump them all into the same mosquito category. But while mosquitoes are formulating their plans for wreaking havoc in our backyards, craneflies are just enjoying life, albeit a brief existence.
What is the Purpose of Mosquito Hawks?
It’s interesting to us that an insect with a name that sounds rather predatory is actually serving the ecosystem as prey. Cranefly larvae act as a food source birds and other insects. And to our knowledge, that is the only purpose they have – aside from trickery and trending social media posts.
Search insect control in Austin and call Mosquito Squad of Austin.
Mosquito Squad is a trusted mosquito and Austin insect control company serving the Greater Austin area, including, Pflugerville, Great Hills, Travis Heights, Northwest Hills, Round Rock, and beyond.
At Mosquito Squad of Austin, our goal is your complete satisfaction. That’s why we offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee! Guarantee not available for a one-time, special event treatments.
Call Mosquito Squad of Austin at (512) 488-5331 or submit our online form to schedule your pest control assessment and quote.
