Recent reports have it that the “daddy longlegs” or the crane flies in UK, are facing near extinction. These crane flies are known to breed in fallen dead woods that hold water seepages from streams and nearby bodies of water. In fact, dead woods provide ideal breeding grounds for a variety of invertebrates.
In recent years however, the conditions of these dead woods in England’s woodland areas were affected by the disruption of its natural hydrology or the use, circulation and distribution of the nearby bodies of water. Studies may readily pinpoint to climate change and global warming as the reasons for the changes in environmental conditions in these areas, but there are other evident reasons.
The increased activities in this region are among the causes why natural breeding grounds for the woodland insects are now subjected to human intervention and management. Canals and ditches are now being blocked as a way of helping these larvae to survive.
England’s Peak District National Park, a home for many of the country’s wildlife is a place visited by tourists from all over the world. The place provides the best spots for climbing, cave exploring, cycling or simply walking. It is also home to 38,000 locals whose main livelihood comes from tourism, agricultural farming, manufacturing and quarrying. Hence, the effects of over trampling, over grazing and the changes in water distribution has affected the ecological balance in the woodland areas to maintain sustainability among woodland inhabitants.
In addition, the heightening of summer temperature has dried up the peat land surface areas, causing death in crane larvae depositions. These larvae were expected to emerge as adult crane flies the following spring but as a result of all ecological detriments in woodlands and uplands, the adult crane flies that emerged in the following spring fell by 95%.
Consequences of Crane Fly Extinction
The environmental impact brought about by the near extinction of UK’s crane flies will result to the starvation of a number of upland birds, which include the golden plover. Presently, this small but colorful wading bird is also feared to reach its extinction at the end of the century.
The relationship between crane flies or UK’s “daddy longlegs” with the golden plover manifests a system of biodiversity affected by ecological imbalance. Hence, conservation charities are now working at the preservation of a variety of deadwoods in all stages of decay in the woodland areas.
Dead woods and its components are now being recognized for its utmost importance in the woodland ecology. A selection of dead standing trees, fallen dead wood, dead branches, stems and stumps will be preserved to provide shelter and protection for the developing larvae. In addition, water seepages in areas near bodies of water will also be shielded against too much grazing and trampling by woodland trekkers.
As added information, the species of “daddy longlegs” found in the U.S. and other countries are known as cellar spiders and they thrive on damp and undisturbed basements. Whereas US “daddy longlegs” are regular venom less, web spinning spiders, the UK “daddy longlegs” are basically flies with brown wings that span about two-inches long. To date, the U.S. cellar spiders are not considered as among the endangered lot.