My knowledge of this insect has evolved over the years, and I was today years old when I discovered the truth. These things get in your house and bounce from room to room, looking like a cross between a daddy-long-leg and mosquito. But that's misleading.

As a kid, I always hated them because they seemed like giant mosquitoes flying around my room, just waiting for me to fall asleep so they could bite me and leave me scratching for a week straight. A bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture. I’d whack one the second I had the chance without hesitation.

As I grew older, I learned that these giant mosquitoes weren’t actually mosquitos at all. They were called Mosquito Hawks and they actually ate mosquitoes, so you should never kill one if you find it in your house. I felt pretty guilty after that and made a point to never kill the harmless bug that would protect me from the real enemy.

However, according to EntomologyToday.org, “Skeeter Eaters” as they’ve been affectionately called at my house over the years, do not actually eat mosquitos. And they aren’t even called Mosquito Hawks either. This “Giant Mosquito” is actually a Crane Fly. They are harmless to humans as they don’t bite or sting.

Just let these little guys be. If you want to learn more about Crane Flies, click HERE.

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