[ID] Winter Cranefly, Trichoceridae?

[Jason Green]

Hi all,

I saw a Winter Cranefly today. Any ideas on this identification appreciated.

24/12/2009

Three angles... Dorsal, longitudinal, and a leg

I thought the tarsal ratios were interesting. Five of them, with the first tarsus being longer than the second, the second being as long as the next three combined, and the third being as long as the final two which were the same length.

Now, what is this ID dependant on? There are ten of these in the UK apparently.

Thanks for reading!

Take care,

Jason

[oxycera]

Mainly genitalia work unless the abdomen is banded, in which case it is probably T.annulata. By the way, 'Winter Gnat' is acceptable (preferable in my opinion, but that's just me)

[Jason Green]

Hi John - I knew you'd answer this one! OK, Winter Gnat - will remember that. OK, so out of interest how would you go about removing the genitals?

With regards to banding - is that some below the wing join by the thorax? I think I can see three dark markings there, but it may be subjective in such a tiny window of visibility!!

[oxycera]

Hi Jason,

On the Dipterest Forum site you can download a key to Trichoceridae.
It may not be necessary to actually remove the genitalia but if it is then just snip it off with fine forceps. Then there's a complicated way of preparing it which I never bother with. I tend to just stick it on to a bit card with a blob of clear soluble glue like Uhu from W.H. Smiths. I then 'wash' it with water with a fine paintbrush. If I want to keep it permanently then I transfer it into a blob of mountant - obtainable from entomological suppliers that should be easy to find on the internet. It's quick if a bit lazy but it does require a bit of practice.
In general, banding should be evident on the whole length of the abdomen - usually the base or distal part of each segment being either dark/light, yellow/black or whatever.

Hope that helps

John

[Jason Green]

A very knowledgeable and appreciated answer as ever!