Tipula paludosa

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Description

Very similar to T. oleracea. The females are more easily identified as the wings of the female Tipula paludosa are shorter than the abdomen.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

An abundant grassland species, often found in agricultural fields, parks and gardens, sometimes in considerable numbers.

When to see it

It flies between April and October but is most common in autumn

Life History

The soil dwelling larvae are the crop-damaging pests known as 'leatherjackets'.

UK Status

Common and widespread across Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • David Nicholls
    Leicester, Sunningdale Rd
    29 September 2024
    female
  • David Nicholls
    Leicester, Sunningdale Rd
    29 September 2024
  • David Nicholls
    Kirby Muxloe Castle
    13 September 2013
    male
  • David Nicholls
    Groby Pool
    15 September 2005
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    31 August 2013
  • Mike Higgott
    Anstey garden
    05 September 2013

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
Craneflies, Gnats & Midges
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Tipulidae
Records on NatureSpot:
147
First record:
15/09/2005 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
13/10/2025 (Hunt, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Graham Calow
    Jubilee Walk Leire
    21 August 2012
    female
  • David Nicholls
    Ulverscroft
    15 September 2011
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    05 September 2012
    female
  • David Nicholls
    Ulverscroft
    15 September 2011
  • Mike Higgott
    Anstey garden
    05 September 2013
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    05 September 2012
    female
  • David Gould
    fields near Fosse Park
    21 October 2018
    14 antennal segments