Wyre Forest Study Group
12
May, 2020
Cranefly –Tanyptera atrata
Susan Limbrey was surprised to see this impressive cranefly in her greenhouse at The Newalls in Far Forest. It is a male Tanyptera atrata and the Wyre Forest is a hotspot for this attractive fly. The species likes heathy woodland as the female lays her eggs in rotting birch. She looks quite different to the male, is black and red, and has a long ovipositor.