Curious Facts in the History of Insects; Including Spiders and Scorpions. / A Complete Collection of the Legends, Superstitions, Beliefs, and Ominous Signs Connected with Insects; Together with Their Uses in Medicine, Art, and as Food; and a Summary of Their Remarkable Injuries and Appearances.

by Frank Cowan

Tipulidæ—Crane-flies.

The larvæ of a species of Agaric-Gnat (Mycetophila) live in society, and emigrate in files in a very soldier-like manner. First goes one, next follow two, then three, etc., so as to exhibit a singular serpentine appearance. The common people of Germany call this file heerwurm, and, it is said, view them with great dread, regarding them as ominous of war.[958]

Maupertuis, in describing his ascent to Mount Pulinga, in Lapland, says: “They had to fell a whole wood of large trees, and the Flies (most probably Tipulidæ) attack’d ’em with that fury, that the very soldiers, tho’ harden’d to the greatest fatigues, were obliged to rap up their faces, or cover them with tar. These insects poison’d their victuals, for no sooner was a dish serv’d, but it was quite covered with them.”[959] Maupertuis, in another place, says: “These Flies make Lapland less tolerable in the summer than the cold does in the winter.”[960] The severity with which the Tipulidæ torment the Laplanders is attested also by Acerby,[961] Linnæus,[962] De Geer,[963] and Reaumur.[964]