How to Feed Crane Flies
The large crane fly, commonly and incorrectly called a "mosquito eater" and "mosquito hawk," is actually a fly. These slow and low-flying insects are easy to catch and make a good meal for pet lizards. Look under logs and rocks, in rotting leaves and other debris to find larvae to feed to your reptiles. You can keep these bugs for feeding later or to teach children about insect life cycles. You only need to feed the larvae, because the adult crane flies do not eat.
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Instructions
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Scoop up some of the leaf litter, dirt and other debris you find around the larvae. Place this into the container holding the larvae.
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Add some partially decomposed compost to the container. Crane fly larvae help convert compost to soil.
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Collect scraps of fruits and vegetables from your kitchen, such as banana peels and lettuce leaves, and put them into the container.
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Tips & Warnings
The adults lay their eggs on, or very close to, a food source. Where you find the larvae, you will also find their natural food source.
The amount of food you put into the container will vary depending on how many larvae you are feeding. Keep and eye on the larvae and replace the food as needed.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
