Tipulidae is a family of large crane flies in the order Diptera.

There are more than 30 genera and 4,200 described species in Tipulidae, common and widespread throughout the world.

[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] A crane fly can usually be identified as a member of Tipulidae by its maxillary palps, which is the pair appendages that hang down from the front of its head.

If the fourth segment (the farthest from the body) of the maxillary palp is longer than the other three combined, then it is likely to be a member of Tipulidae.

[3] The oldest fossils that can be assigned confidently to Tipulidae sensu stricto are those of the genus Tipunia, which date to the Late Jurassic.