|
|
|
Unknown Cranefly
 |
| Photo Information |
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1449 W: 146 N: 3764]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (12035) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2009-01-22 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 |
| Exposure: f/2.8, 1/60 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-02-24 6:41 |
| Viewed: 1304 |
| Points: 32 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
My son Aqua first spotted this unusual Cranefly on Mt Ryall,at about 1200 metres above sea level.
We only saw 2 up there,and so far,I have not been able to find anything quite like it in any identification guides.
I have sent information about it to Landcare Research here in New Zealand,so perhaps they can help me with the ID
Here is some general information about Craneflies that I copied from Wikipedia:
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Superorder: Endopterygota
Order: Diptera
Suborder: Nematocera
Infraorder: Tipulomorpha
Superfamily: Tipuloidea
Family: Tipulidae
Latreille, 1802
Insects in the family Tipulidae are commonly known as crane flies. Adults are very slender, long-legged flies that may vary in length from 2–60 mm (tropical species may exceed 100 mm).
In Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland they are commonly referred to as daddy long-legs, but this name can also refer to two unrelated arthropods: members of the arachnid order Opiliones (especially in the United States and Canada) and the cellar spider Pholcidae (especially in Australia).
At least 14,000 species of crane flies have been described, most of them (75%) by the specialist Charles Paul Alexander. This makes the Tipulidae the largest family of Diptera.
Morphology:
In appearance crane flies 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 (balancers) easily visible. Unlike most flies, crane flies are weak and poor fliers with a tendency to "wobble" in unpredictable patterns during flight, and they can be caught 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.
Crane flies are variable in size, with temperate species ranging from 2 mm up to 60 mm, while tropical species have been recorded at over 100 mm. The Giant Crane Fly (Holorusia rubiginosa) of the western United States can reach 38 mm (1.5 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 from mosquitoes by the V-shaped suture on the thorax, non-piercing mouthparts, and a lack of scales on the wing veins.
Female abdomens contain eggs, and as a result appear swollen in comparison to those of males. The female abdomen also ends in a pointed ovipositor that may look somewhat like a stinger but is in fact completely harmless.
Adult mouthparts may occur on the end of the crane fly's long face, which is sometimes called a snout or a short rostrum.
Larvae have a distinct head capsule, and their abdominal segments often have long fleshy projections surrounding the posterior spiracles (almost like tentacles).
Ecology:
Despite their common names, crane flies do not prey on mosquitoes as adults, nor do they bite humans. Some larval crane flies may on occasion feed on mosquito larvae. Adult crane flies feed on nectar or they do not feed at all; once they become adults, most crane fly species live only to mate and die. Their larvae, called "leatherjackets", "leatherbacks", "leatherback bugs" or "leatherjacket slugs", because of the way they move, consume roots (such as those of turf grass) and other vegetation, in some cases causing damage to plants. The crane fly is occasionally considered a mild turf pest in some areas. In 1935, Lord's cricket ground in London was among the venues affected by leatherjackets: several thousand were collected by ground staff and burned, because they caused bald patches on the wicket and the pitch took unaccustomed spin for much of the season.
Little is known of the juvenile biology of many crane fly species. The larvae of less than 2% of the species have been described. Of those that have been described, many prefer moist environments, and some leatherjackets are aquatic.
The long legs are an adaptation that may allow the fly to alight in grassy places.
Crane flies are a food source for many birds. They are also susceptible to fungal infections and are a food source for many other insects.
Misconceptions:
Venom
There is an urban legend stating that the daddy long-legs spider has the most potent venom of any spider, and this same legend is attributed to crane flies where they commonly go by the name "daddy long-legs" (principally in the United Kingdom).
However, both the daddy long-legs spider and the crane fly are in fact innocuous; the spider's venom is practically harmless to humans, and the crane fly is not venomous. The commonly confused harvestman, also known as daddy long-legs but which isn't a spider, is also not venomous.
I hope you like this unusual Cranefly from our mountains.
Thanks for looking,
Cheers
Steve |
bobcat08, red45, rcrick, rousettus, eng55, haraprasan, gannu, Argus, Heaven has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
hello steve
beautiful composition
great colours
greeting lou
- Heaven
(6060)
- [2009-02-24 7:38]
-
Hi Steve!
Yes, I like this picture very much. The fact that the identification is not sure and that it seems to be quite a rare species makes it exciting, too. I hope that someone on TN will be able to help you... I can't. I like the position of the insect on the plant and thanks to it we get a good impression of it.
Kind regards
Markus
-
- Argus
(35063)
- [2009-02-24 7:48]
-
Hello Steve,
This looks like quite a large NZ endemic Crane Fly taken from a fine POV with good sharpness on an alpine cushion-shaped plant.
I hope you can get the ID, as this insect seems pretty special.
TFS,
Cheers,
Ivan
Ciao Steve, sorry i don't know id, fantastic macro of beautiful cranefly with fwonderful colors, ine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio
Hello Steve,
a new one for me, never saw one before, it's always a pleasure
to see something new.
Maybe its endemic to NZ as Ivan mention
Well taken with nice POV and good sharpness
Well done, mf.
Gert
-
- gannu
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(14691) - [2009-02-24 9:02]
-
Steve Superb shot picture with wonderful composition. nice focus and sharp picture. TFS ganesh
Namastay Steve,
A nice capture of this beautiful cranefly. Superb sharp details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Sincerely
Hara
-
- eng55
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1147 W: 32 N: 1170]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(3600) - [2009-02-24 9:12]
-
Hi Steve,
Very beautiful capture.This spice is new to me.POV,colors and visual impact are wonderful.Excellent note too!
Thanks for posting.
HI Steve,
wow - this cranefly is realy special, never saw one with such a body - it was also posing for you on a wonderful place, excellent arrangement and quality, thanks and greetings
Sabine - wishnugaruda
-
- PeterZ
(17634)
- [2009-02-24 12:01]
-
Hello Steve,
Great sharp-detailed photo in beautiful natural colours of this strange insect. Maybe you found a new species. Very good composition.
Regards,
Peter
Hello Steve,
this is great macro shot for not only for Tipulid fly, but also beautiful plant. Nicely composed and focused. Colors also very nice. thanks for sharing, best wishes my friend
Ahmet
-
- rcrick
(5011)
- [2009-02-24 22:13]
-
Hi Steve,
This is a really nice shot of a unknown Cranefly something I haven’t seen before. Excellent detail and I like the contrasting colours of the subject up against the foliage, t.f.s
Cheers Rick :)
-
- red45
(30243)
- [2009-02-25 0:19]
-
Hi Steve!
I'm really glad that you didn't delete your photos and you're still posting. And you should, because Great Lent starts today :-) [well hard to explain, but it is small word play - in Polish word 'post' means 'lent']. Anyway - great fly with very interesting colours my friend! Waiting for more!
-
- foozi
(9085)
- [2009-02-25 2:18]
-
Hi Steve,
TN teaches me a lot about nature. Before this I never know what is a cranefly, i only know generic fly. this lovely shot with excellent sharpness is indeed very educational.
Excellent presentation in natural surrounding and pleasant and cool.
Regards,
Foozi
-
- Janice
(18648)
- [2009-02-26 0:54]
-
He is an attractive Crane Fly Steve. This is the time of year they should start coming into our houses soon.
Definitely a colour I have never seen before. You and Aqua were lucky to see him.
We used to call them Mrs Daddy Longlegs!!
TFS
JAnice
Hi Steve,
I'm so sorry, I can't help you with the ID of this beautiful colered cranefly. We know such smae fly here in Holland, but that colors "NO WAY" A perfect shot of this fly. The contrast between the plant and the fly is great. The details are clearly visible. So I hope that you get a very quick answer from Landcare Research.
Kind regards and TFS BOB
