European crane fly adults resemble large mosquitoes and there length is from 1,5–2,5 cm.

Unlike mosquitoes, they do not bite and are relatively weak flyers.

Eggs are laid near the soil surface to a depth of 1 cm and are black, shiny and oval in shape, roughly 1 mm long.

Larvae primarily attack grass shoots in the evening and grass roots in the day.

It takes a year for the European crane fly to complete its life cycle. Adults emerge between mid-July and early October and mate immediately.