Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Assume this is a cranefly ?
Posted by
LordV on 31-12-2007 19:26
#1
Thought I was taking a pic of a window gnat but suspect this is a small cranefly ?
Taken today South Coast UK about 7mm body length.
Brian V.
#2
it seems a tipulid. Tipuloid by sure.
Posted by
kitenet on 31-12-2007 19:36
#3
Looks like a winter gnat, a species of Trichocera (family Trichoceridae). The dark-bodied ones I see most often are T. regalationis and T. saltator, but I don't find them easy to tell apart, especially the females
Martin
#4
a dorsal view would help a lot!
really the antenna is typical for trichoceridae, but not sure.
Posted by
LordV on 02-01-2008 10:06
#5
Thanks for the possible ID
. The only other shot I took was a focus stacked closeup which does show more detail on the antennae - assume this is one of the differences between this family and Tipulidae ?
rian V.
Posted by
Andrius on 03-01-2008 11:01
#6
Well, wing venation and genitalic structures also clearly separate Trichoceridae and Tipulidae or Limoniidae
You have a winter gnat here and I'd exclude Trichocera (S.) saltator as their females have longer ovipositors. It's also a pity wing venation is not visible, so it's impossible to tell what other species this could be...