<< Previous Next >>

*Crane fly*


*Crane fly*
Photo Information
Copyright: Thorsten Buchen (thor68) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 792 W: 138 N: 1312] (5642)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-28
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma EX 105mm F2.8 DG Macro, SanDisk Ultra II 1GB, Hama sky 1A (LA+10) (IV) 58mm
Exposure: f/22, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Dipterans (except Hover flies) of Europe-1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-07-02 4:41
Viewed: 1115
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A crane fly i could capture in our garden at work -
i really do not like their longs legs -
i always tend to cut them off *g*.


*********************
The crane flies (Tipulidae) are a family of insects
resembling giant mosquitoes. Like the mosquito, they
are in the order Diptera (flies). They are sometimes
called mosquito eaters, lollygaggers, mosquito hawks,
or skeeter eaters. The family is also one of three
within the arthropod phylum popularly called Daddy
long-legs.

In appearance they seem long and gangly, with very
long legs, and a long slender abdomen. The wings are
often held out when at rest, making the large halteres
easily visible. Unlike mosquitoes, crane flies are
weak and poor fliers, so they can be caught easily and
without much effort. However, it is very easy to
accidentally break off their delicate legs when
catching them, even without direct contact. This may
help them to evade the birds who pursue them as prey.

Temperate species range up to 60 mm in size, while
tropical species have been recorded at over 100 mm.
They are attracted towards light. The females have
swollen abdomen (because of eggs held inside) in
comparison to the males. The female abdomen also ends
in a pointed ovipositor that looks a bit like a
stinger.

Despite their common names, crane flies do not prey on
mosquitoes, nor do they bite humans. Adult crane flies
feed on nectar or not at all, while their larvae,
called leatherjackets, consume roots (such as those of
turf grass in backyard lawns) and other vegetation, in
some cases causing damage to plants. Therefore the
crane fly is occasionally considered a mild turf pest
in some areas. Some leatherjackets are aquatic.

At least 14,000 species have been described (most of
them, 75%, by the specialist Charles P. Alexander),
making Tipulidae the largest family of Diptera. The
Giant Crane Fly (Holorusia rubiginosa) of the 'West'
(Western United States) can reach 38 mm (1-3/8
inches). Some Tipula species are 64 mm (2-1/2 inches).
There are many smaller species (known as bobbing
gnats) that are mosquito-sized, but they can be
distinguished by the V-shaped suture on the thorax and
a lack of ocelli. They are the food source of many
birds.

[from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_fly]
pvs, loot, Janice, coasties, ddg, SkyF, phlr, liziafa, liquidsunshine, wallhalla15, firelord, marhowie has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2006-07-02 4:52]

Hi Thor,

Indeed quite tricky to get this longlegged fellow all the way on the picture,but you managed quite well as I can see,well captured with good sharpness and details,

Regards,
Paul

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5452 W: 594 N: 3665] (10077)
  • [2006-07-02 5:14]

Hi Thor
What an interesting insect and you have captured it very well. You almost managed to make a perfect X with its legs in the photo.
A great composition with lovely colours, excellent sharp details, a busy but fine BG complementing the crane fly very well, and the exposure was perfect with the fill-in flash giving just enough light to bring out the beauty of the subject.
Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2006-07-02 5:16]

We have them here in NZ too Thor, but only as summer ends. This one is very sharp, I think I can see him better here than looking at a real one! Good macro shot. I like his colours and patterns too. Well shown, thank you
Janice

HI Thorsten,
diese großen Schnaken sind eigentlich recht hübsch, der Korper hat eine tolle gelbliche Färbung. Letztes Jahr hab' ich eine kurz nach dem Schlüpfen gesehenhier
, wußte aber nicht was es ist und dachte, es wäre eine Skorpionsfliege - totaler Quatsch, klar, aber ich habe erst dieses Jahr meine erste Skorpionsfliege in der Natur gesehen, tolle Teile, muß mal raussuchen, welche ich posten kann.
Schönen Tag und vielen Dank
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7801)
  • [2006-07-02 5:35]

Hi Thorsten
Very sharp shot. Well seen and composed. Great colours, details, light and POV. Also good note
Well done my friend

osse

Hi Thorsten

Wow... this is an excellent shot. Very good quality work. :-)

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2006-07-02 6:23]

Hello Thor, splendid shot of Crane fly with a lot of details and a pleasant composition too. Colors that harmomize and great lighting. Best regards, Didier.

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2233 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2006-07-02 8:43]

Hallo Thorsten,
klasse eingefangen, die Bildeinteilung ist super, das Insekt streckt sich von Ecke zu ecke und fuellt den ganzen Rahmen. Klasse Schaerfe und super Schaerfe.
Gruss..Sky

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1243 W: 129 N: 881] (2814)
  • [2006-07-02 9:30]

Excellent shot!
Perfect DOF and details!
Excellent on colours and POV
5*, keep on going and TFS!

Hi Thorsten,
Good detail, colours and sharpness. exposure and lighting are good. Good POV and composition.

Thanks for posting, have a great week.

Hallo Thorsten,
Sehr schönes Foto von diesem "Langbein". Dieses Jahre habe ich bisher sehr wenige von dieses Spezies gesehen. - Sehr schöner Bildaufbau, tadellose Schärfe und natürliche Farben. Danke Dir für dieses schöne Foto.
Gruß
Heinz

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2006-07-02 14:56]

I great sharp shot. Great composition, background and colours

Hi Thorsten,
Interesting capture.
Very nice details, sharp and colors.
Well done.
TFS Malgosia

Hi Thorsten,
You did a great job of pulling 95% of this crane fly into the frame mf..Very good sharpness and detail. Nice color & use of flash on this as well.
Very well done.

Lovey capture. The colors are brilliant . The pic is very detailed.
Pics shouldn't be centered, exept in a few cases. In this case centering is indeed appropriate. Well done.
I would have like to see all tips of legs being included. I think you were almost there.
This crane fly is a less common specy that the one we see everywhere. Unfortunately I don't know the exact ID of that one.
Great pic.
TFS

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF