Nephrotoma appendiculata explained

Nephrotoma appendiculata, the spotted crane fly, is a species of crane fly. [1] [2]

Subspecies

Subspecies include: [3]

Distribution

This species is present in most of Europe, in North Africa and in the Near East. [4] Some in Southern Alberta Canada.

Habitat

These crane flies inhabit woodland edges, gardens, fields, rough grassland, and farmland.

Description

Nephrotoma appendiculata has a wingspan of about 50mm,[5] and a body length of 13-.[6] [7] The body is yellow with a few short, black stripes on the thorax, a black horseshoe mark on the side[6] and a broad dark stripe[6] on each section of the abdomen. The wings have a thin, yellow line near the leading edge.[5] The wing stigma is usually pale, but sometimes it is dark. [6]

This species is rather similar to Nephrotoma flavescens. [6]

Biology

Adults can be seen from April to August. [6] [7] The larvae, known as "leatherjackets",[5] feed on the roots of grasses, [6] [7] while the adults feed on umbellifers such as cow parsley. [6] [7]

Notes and References

  1. Oosterbroek P. CCW: Catalogue of Craneflies of the World.
  2. https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id118702/ BioLib
  3. Bisby F.A., Roskov Y.R., Orrell T.M., Nicolson D., Paglinawan L.E., Bailly N., Kirk P.M., Bourgoin T., Baillargeon G., Ouvrard D. Catalogue of life
  4. https://fauna-eu.org/cdm_dataportal/taxon/d89118b3-e30c-4d22-b4ef-3b1892771d66 Fauna europaea
  5. Web site: Spotted Craneflies: Nephrotoma appendiculata . July 29, 2010 . 2006 . G. Bradley.
  6. https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/spotted-cranefly Nature Spot
  7. http://www.commanster.eu/commanster/Insects/Flies/SpFlies/Nephrotoma.appendiculata.html Commanster