Nephrotoma appendiculata, the spotted crane fly, is a species of crane fly. [1] [2]
Subspecies include: [3]
This species is present in most of Europe, in North Africa and in the Near East. [4] Some in Southern Alberta Canada.
These crane flies inhabit woodland edges, gardens, fields, rough grassland, and farmland.
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]
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]