The following description and definitions of Tipuloidea morphology is intended illustrate and better inform the users of this key on the morphological traits used in determining specimen identity. Morphological nomenclature of the Tipuloidea is greatly divided by taxonomists and there may exist numerous terms for a common appendage. The nomenclature used here follows that of Alexander & Byers (1981). Information pertaining to structures and taxa used as exemplars of morphological variation are garnered from the observation of the author and from other description of crane fly morphology (Alexander & Byers, 1981; Dienske, 1987) and the users of this key are directed to these references for futhor discussions on morphology.
Crane fly head: A description and discussion of terminology and nomenclature used to describe the crane fly head.
Crane fly leg: A brief description and discussion of the important characters of the crane fly leg.
Crane fly wing: A description and discussion of terminology and nomenclature used in Limoniinae crane fly wing taxonomy.
Crane fly male hypopygium: A description and discussion of terminology and nomenclature used in crane fly wing taxonomy. This section focuses on the the Limoniinae crane fly taxa.