Mosquito hawks aren't as helpful as we've been told

It's all been overblown. Mosquito hawks, also known as crane flies or skeeter eaters, don't actually eat mosquitoes.

Why it matters: We no longer have to give them grace when they sneak into our homes and cars, writes Axios' Carlie Kollath Wells .

Driving the news: Mosquito hawks — which look a little like winged daddy longlegs — are swarming in Houston.

• It's common this time of year to have a large emergence of adult mosquito hawks in Houston, says Lauren Davidson, an Entomologist at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
• There are more mosquito hawks this year, thanks to the rain over the past couple of months . Davidson says it was the "perfect storm of temperature and humidity and moisture."

What they're saying: "They don't eat mosquitoes. They don't bite like mosquitoes. They just kind of look like giant mosquitoes," Davidson says. "They're completely harmless."

What's their purpose: At the very least, to entertain cats.

• Some adults feed on nectar, but "they're not great pollinators. They aren't like bees or other flies."
• Check out this gross photo of a spider eating a mosquito hawk.
• The larvae are important for breaking down organic matter and improving the soil, Davidson adds.

Pro tip: Mosquito hawks are attracted to light, so if you don't want them gathered by your door, turn off your lights at night, Davidson advises.

The bottom line: "This gangly fly boi," as the HMNS tweeted , "lives for a few days, vibes in your lawn or bouncing off your living wall, then ☠️."

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