If a crane fly loses a leg will he be okay? Is it painful for him or do they just 'release' them like a lizard can release it's tail?
Chances are, it won't be O.K. Some spiders can release their legs, but only if given fair warning (a gentle tug). If the crane fly lost his leg violently, he will probably die from the injury. Whether or not the injury kills him, he will, of course, be more vulnerable to predators. Not to be morbid or cold, because I really do love animals, and hate to see harm come even to the under appreciated invertebrates, but the Crane fly usually only lives a couple of days, so as long as he mated, his job on earth was finished anyway.
Only lizards can release a part of their body, but only the tail. It probably lost its leg while it was flying because it had a string tightly wrapped around it for a long time and it finally just fell off. It would probably hurt them a little because the bloodflow would be cut off and it would be somewhat numb.
