Crane-fly ID?

OckViewer · #1 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 06:43 AM

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help identify this crane-fly?

I did wonder if it was a 'spotted crane-fly', but most of the pictures I've seen on-line spotted crane-fly have their wings outstretched.

Thanks

Richard

Matt Smith · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 11:25 AM

Think this is a fungus gnat, not a Tipulid.

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

Think this is a fungus gnat, not a Tipulid.

Limoniidae, the wing markings look like Limonia nebeculosa which is fairly common.

This family hold their wings closed rather than open, there are other species which have similarly patterned wings such as Rhipidia maculata but yours does resemble as far as I can see L. nebeculosa.

Janet

OckViewer · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 05:11 PM

Thank your much for replying and correcting several years of misidentifcation.

Unfortunately my collins guide to british insects does not seem to contain the family Limoniidae.

JRsbugs · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 05:27 PM

Limoniidae is closely related to Tipulidae and is still looked upon as a Cranefly.

I'm not sure what Matt was seeiing, maybe the Window Gnat (Sylvicola fenestralis)? That does have patterned wings but much shorter legs.

Laurence Clemons · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 04:04 PM

It is one of the Autumnal Tipula species c/f Tipula marmorata.

JRsbugs · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurence Clemons

It is one of the Autumnal Tipula species c/f Tipula marmorata.

Please hang around Laurence, I'm learning!

I had one on 26th September, two in fact, which are likely to be that too. I did think the legs were not striped enough, and I guess the time of year comes into it. There's so many Craneflies!