Leatherjacket

The grub of the crane fly, or daddy longlegs. Leatherjackets are the second most common pest of turf after earthworms and can cause anything from minor to very serious damage. A grub is sandy grey-brown in colour and about 25 to 35mm in length. The grubs feed on grass roots from autumn to spring. Dry weather in spring and early summer will readily highlight damage caused by leatherjackets. Adult crane flies have slender bodies, are long legged flies, with two antennae, two wings and 6 legs.