Crane Fly?

[jezlee]

Hello all - another one from my trip yesterday! I'm presuming this is a species of crane fly - but which one? Or at least can anyone get it down to family?

Hmmm, looking at the head, is it even a crane fly at all? It doesn't look like a crane fly head to me, more like a fly species??

No, looking again, I would have to say crane fly!

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Jez,

It's a male 'Phantom Cranefly', Ptychopteridae family. It could be Ptychoptera contaminata, but needs the wing unfurled to see the venation better.

Take care,

Jason

[jezlee]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Afternoon Jez,

It's a male 'Phantom Cranefly', Ptychopteridae family. It could be Ptychoptera contaminata, but needs the wing unfurled to see the venation better.

Take care,

Jason

Thanks, Jason! We live and learn, don't we? I had never heard of these so-called 'Phantom Craneflies' before! At least it explains my confusion over whether it was a crane fly or not!

[Anzu]

Hia Jez and Jason!

I took some photos of these a few days ago and was wondering what they were until I found this thread. I was wondering what the spoon shaped wing like things were below the wings?

And whether this one is a female?



Thanks

[Jason Green]

Yes, and egg-laden. The spoon-shaped things under the wings are called 'halteres', and are used to assist in flight-stability.

[Anzu]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Yes, and egg-laden. The spoon-shaped things under the wings are called 'halteres', and are used to assist in flight-stability.

Thank you Jason!