PDA

View Full Version : Please help identify species…


y2keable
29-05-2005, 18:59
Practicing some knife skills in the woods today when a rather large fly landed on my arm. It looks like a cross between a cranefly and a hornet, it actually moves and flies like a cranefly too. This species has one pair of true membranous wings with a span of about 5cm (it’s a big momma). This one’s a thinker, if anyone could share any information they have, it’d be appreciated.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/y2keable/identflysmall.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/y2keable/shaddowflysmall.jpg

Cheers
jayson
eraaij
29-05-2005, 19:24
Looks like a member of the ichneumonidae family to me. Which would make this a parasitic wasp. Couldn't find this particular one in my books though.

-Emile
familne
29-05-2005, 19:50
Looks like a crane-fly to me, possibly a spotted crane-fly?
Bob
29-05-2005, 20:00
Now that's an impressive beastie!!

I'd say Crane-flies (Tipulidae) too - doesn't have a 'wasp waist' so not one of the parasitic hymenoptera.

Certainly not one I've seen before - please post its' ID if you find out.

Bob :)
Bob
29-05-2005, 20:03
Just had a thought (it happens occasionally!)

It might be one of the Ptychopteridae - they have long tibial spurs and can be amazing colours! Were the wings spotted?

Bob :)
george
29-05-2005, 20:11
I'd go with some kind of ichneumon wasp as well. However, there are apparently over 3000 types in Britain alone, afraid my books dont have this one either.

George.
familne
29-05-2005, 20:14
I'd say it is one of the tiger craneflies (Nephrotoma) that's just emerged , it looks very new and fresh e.g.

http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/T13404.HTM
familne
29-05-2005, 20:24
I'd go with some kind of ichneumon wasp as well. However, there are apparently over 3000 types in Britain alone, afraid my books dont have this one either.

George.

It's not an Ichneumon - they don't have the club shaped spurs (haltere) behind the wings, only the true flies have these.
y2keable
29-05-2005, 23:07
I'd say it is one of the tiger craneflies (Nephrotoma) that's just emerged , it looks very new and fresh e.g.

http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/T13404.HTM
interesting link but i don't think its on their.