band-winged crane fly

not listed

not listed

not listed

Band-winged crane fly is a common, easily identified, moderate-sized crane fly. It occurs in the eastern United States and adjacent Canadian provinces east of the Great Plains. It is common in the northeast and upper Midwest. It is uncommon in eastern Minnesota, where it is at the western extent of its range. It is found in floodplain woodlands and wooded areas adjacent to swamps.

Adults are ⅜″ to ½″ in length.

The head is dark brown. The snout is short and has a beak-like point. The lower jaws (maxillae) have sensory structures (palpi) attached. The last (apical) segment of each palp is antenna-like and very long, much longer than the subapical segment. There are two large compound eyes and no simple eyes (ocelli). The antennae have 14 segments. They are light brown except for a dark base and pedicel, yellow first and second segments (flagellomeres), and yellow to light brown third and fourth flagellomeres.

The upper thoracic plate (mesonotum) is brown with a darker reddish-brown margin. There is a distinct, V-shaped groove (suture) on top near the wing bases.

The abdomen is long and slim. Each segment is yellowish-brown with darker brown markings including an upper (middorsal) longitudinal stripe, and one or more small spots on either side of the stripe.

The legs are brownish-yellow and stilt-like, very long and very slender. They are fragile, easily separated from the body. The third segment (femur) has a darker brown band at the tip (apex). There is sometimes another darker brown band in the middle of the femur.

The wings are very long and very narrow. They have four horizontal bands of brown spots separated by three clear bands. The spots are dark, well defined, and outlined with even darker brown. Several spots have hollow centers. The clear band in the middle of the wing is nearly always complete. The other clear bands are often interrupted. There is also a row of smaller spots at the margin of the wing tip. The spots may be distinctly separated or merge with adjacent spots. Each wing has two anal veins that meet the inner margin.

Floodplain and bottomland woodlands, wooded areas adjacent to swamps

Late April to late July

Adults rest with wings held out at right angles.

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 82.

Common in the northeast and upper Midwest. Uncommon in eastern Minnesota, where it is at the western extent of its range.

The genus Epiphragma was formerly placed in the subfamily Limoniinae under the family Tipulidae.

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota