A beautiful Cranefly.

BarbaraEmma · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 08:15 AM

This has got to be the most beautiful Cranefly I have ever seen.It seems to be perfect with no nicks or bits missing.Is it male or female ?Is it different from the ones I normally take a quick look at? I've never noticed the patterning on the wings before.Thanks anyone for your help,Barbara.

glsammy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 08:27 AM

Where was this shot taken?

Matt Smith · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 09:00 AM

Tipula maxima - our biggest cranefly.

BarbaraEmma · #4 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 04:46 PM

Glsammy, I hope you like it as much as I do.It was taken this morning ,the Cranefly was on the windowsill to the left of our back door.Can you tell if it is a male or female ?
Matt Smith ,thankyou for telling me the name of this Cranefly,I intend to look it up later on.
I've never noticed these before are they less common than the ones I normally see ?
Thanks,Barbara

mszafran · #5 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 05:08 PM

It's a female I believe. The females have a pointy ovipositor on the end of their abdomen, where as the males have a more squared-off shape.

glsammy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbaraEmma

Glsammy, I hope you like it as much as I do.It was taken this morning ,the Cranefly was on the windowsill to the left of our back door.Can you tell if it is a male or female ?
Matt Smith ,thankyou for telling me the name of this Cranefly,I intend to look it up later on.
I've never noticed these before are they less common than the ones I normally see ?
Thanks,Barbara

Indeed I do like it. I wondered where you'd seen it as I've never seen one.