TIPULA DORSIMACULA
Tipula dorsimacula
CRANE FLY FAMILY (Tipulidae)
Description
This crane fly is approximately one inch in length. The head is small and tan colored with small black eyes. The thorax is tan with brown markings. The abdomen is reddish-brown with a line of dark markings down the center. The wings are clear with black and white marks on the upper edge and a white rectangular mark in mid-wing. The legs are long and brown with black “knees.” This species was identified by a volunteer expert at the BugGuide website.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence in Fontenelle Forest is not known at this time. One individual was photographed in Handsome Hollow in Fontenelle Forest in mid-April. Look for this species sitting on vegtation in cool, shady places such as the hollows.
Comments
Tipula is a very large genus with about 480 species and 27 sub-genera in North America. T. dorsimacula belongs to the subgenus Lunatipula of which there are 160 species in N.A. The larvae may be terrestrial or aquatic depending on the species. Aquatic larvae burrow to the bottom of streams and are scavengers of decaying matter.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Nature Association who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page
is: Loren Padelford.
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