Note on Occurrence in Cape Breton Island of Tipula paludosa Mg. (Diptera: Tipulidae)

Abstract

In September, 1955, crane flies reared from magsots, or “leather jackets”, collected from flower beds at North Easr Margaree, Cape Breton Island, were identified as of the Palaearctic species Tipule paludosa Mg. by J. R. Vockeroth, Entomology Division, Ottawa. This is probably the most injurious crane fly in Europe, where it is frequently reported in the literature as injuring grasses, cereals, beets, strawberries, hemp, flax, tobacco, and other crops. Further collecting has shown the species to be present in Murphy and Cranton sections, Inverness County, and Sydney, Cape Breton County, Cape Breton Island. It is doubtfully recorded from Newfoundland by Alexander (1942, pp. 260-261). These records constitute the only ones known in North America. T. paludosa was probably introduced in soil ballast dumped from ships on the shores of Cape Breton Island in the same manner as the exotic soil-inhabiting beetles referred to by Brown (1940).