Phantom Crane Flies
What are they?
Phantom crane flies are almost ethereal creatures. Walk along a wooded, well-vegetated stream and you might briefly catch sight of a glitter of white spots, drifting through the vegetation, close to the ground, before getting lost among the twigs and grass. These insects live up to their English names well and can be hard to study. When not on the wing, adults dangle beneath overhanging vegetation by their front legs. Maggot-like larvae live in wet mud along streamsides and breathe by means of a long, 'rat-tail' syphon.
Identification
This is a relatively small group of brightly-colored species. They could be confused with some of the winter gnats or true crane flies but differ structurally and in their somewhat unusual behavior.
Bittacomorpha clavipes
A common species but very difficult to find and usually found coincidentally if well-vegetated, freshwater riffles and streams are checked. The black and white striped legs with flattened 'ankles' and hanging behavior of this species are unique in our area, but other similar species occur elsewhere in North America.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |