What is a baby cranefly?

A baby cranefly, commonly referred to as a larva or maggot, is the immature stage of a cranefly, which is an insect belonging to the family Tipulidae. These larvae typically live in moist environments, feeding on decaying plant material and organic matter in soil, helping to break down and recycle nutrients. As they mature, they undergo several molts before eventually pupating and emerging as adult craneflies. Adult craneflies are often mistaken for large mosquitoes but are harmless and do not bite.