The Tipulinae are known as the long-palped craneflies, forming a sub-family within the Tipulidae. Such a classification is traditional in Britain, but some European workers give family rank to what are regarded as sub-families in Britain.
Eighty-seven species have been found in Britain and Ireland, although there are no recent records for six of these species. They are for the most part large insects and as adults can form a conspicuous and major element of the fauna of various habitats at certain times of year.
This Atlas summarises the state of knowledge about the distribution and ecology of the Tipulinae in Britain and Ireland on the basis of records which had been compiled by the Cranefly Recording Scheme up to December 1983, with minor updates. There is also a review of the study of craneflies and a bibliography of British and Irish literature. The Cranefly Recording Scheme covers Tipulidae, Trichoceridae, Anisopodidae and Ptychopteridae.