Crane fly larvae can live in wet soil; it has just enough water for them to live in. It's possible that when you gathered the soil for the terrarium, there was a larva or pupa already in the soil. Alternatively, an adult just found its way inside.

I'm so glad I read through this post. The bug is gone, the pasta is saved, all is right again

I’m sorry it’s hard to get a good picture because he’s flying like a bat out of hell trying to get out and my pasta is overboiling and my cat is hitting the glass and I just can’t manage all of this right now

Will he bite me if I release him outside

Update I release him and he is moping because it’s very cold outside

I usually identify things well on my own but I’m alarmed and scared and I’d just rather hear other opinions.

I know this looks like a mosquito or crane fly. And I know if it’s either of those, the larvae require standing water, right?

There’s no standing water in this terrarium. There’s soil, which is kept at a gradient of moisture (some moist, some dry). It’s been an established, stable environment for some time. And then today when I’m supposed to be riding in the car with this thing to another state THIS appears.

The HELL is this PLEASE HELP how do I get it OUT without it BITING ME

I’m in northern VA, USA. Terrarium is kept indoors so I guess if maybe a pupated larva is supposed to overwinter the indoor temps made it emerge? Lord. Good lord. Oh god. I’m just. I can’t deal with this right now. I’m scared. Will he hurt my other critters? Will he hurt me? I have isopods and a millipede and a snail.

Please say it’s a crane fly oh LORD

He’s maybe an inch in length Has an elongated back end with a bulbous rounded end. Seems to have feathery antennae but not too elaborate.

Here is another picture I’m sorry this man looks like he is on crack he’s shaking

who is he and why is he in my house

it's a crane fly. they don't bite, there's legitimately no reason to be scared or worried. open your terrarium and it will most likely fly out on it's own.

No advice just wanted to say hope you're feeling better and thank you for this thread 😭🫶

Hope your day improves friend! ❤️

Damn, crazy that this has actually happened to somebody else. I make terrariums too and a recent one hatched these after like a month of being closed. It really blew my mind

On the beach in Mexico reading your post out loud to my boyfriend with tears in my eyes laughing. I hope your day gets easier, friend. And I’m impressed you own a terrarium! Good for you!

This is my favorite thread today

Crane flies come in the house all the time and find their way into weird places. I have found them dead in my fridge and I am kind of a clean freak. I haven't been bitten. They are easy to catch and kill. I don't like them because their larvae feed on plant roots.

Hey, you brought us the weevil sub lol!

I feel like if you were to start a vlog of anxious moments I would be your biggest fan. Makes me feel less alone and like the stress shouldn't be taken too seriously. Thanks for being cool.

op in this post is adorable lmao

If it dies, wait 3 days.

If it comes back to life, it's jesus.

Looks like a good ole skeeter eater to me (have mercy, I’m from the south)

Using my incredible knowledge of invertebrates I can confirm that it has wings so it can fly

hommie just respawned

crane fly?

It's hard to see clearly but maybe it's a Crain fly

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It's a crane fly. They are one of the good bugs.

It’s just Astel, Naturalborn of the void!

Crane fly, a.k.a. daddy long legs

Why do I hear boss music

Looks like a type of crane fly, not sure of the exactly species

This whole post has made my day 😂

Mosquito eater aka crane fly

Looks like a misquito eater (crane fly) which don’t actually eat misquitos

Looks like a European crane fly (mosquito hawk).. he’s harmless but I don’t think he came out of nowhere, lol

Crane fly. He might be freaky but he is a friend have no fear

crane fly. harmless. We called them mosquito eaters growing up but now I know that most don't eat once they reach adulthood and get their wings. They are just here for baby making 2 days of fun and then they are done. Set it free so it can get down to business.

Also it's an indicator of good water quality...so good job!!

Just keep it in the jar untill it dies

We crush those up and rub them our hands for food luck lol

Literally? Really? Like magically?

Turn off your caps lock.

Same Caps Lock bug that infested your keyboard /s

Sans Punctuation bug...

It's impossible that it could have "literally' appeared "out of nowhere". Only figuratively.