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.




 

 

 

 

Tanyptera atrata ♂ - Susan Limbrey

Cranefly

(Tanyptera atrata) ♂

Photograph by – Susan Limbrey

Cranefly

(Tanyptera atrata) ♀

Photograph by – Rosemary Winnall


Tanyptera atrata ♀- Rosemary Winnall