Cranefly Nodules
This closeup of a cranefly shows a really bizarre piece of anatomy: a pair on nodules sticking out behind the wings. I have observed several craneflies since noticing this anatomical feature, and they all have it.
I have no clue what it is, though. [Edit: Reader Andy did my homework for me. They are called Halteres.]
This weekend we’ll be getting a twofer: tomorrow’s picture we’ll take a closer look at the cranefly’s face.
(I know, I know, I don’t like to run the same bug two days in a row. But the timing is just right for it–i.e. it’s the weekend.)
[Edit: Forgot to post the size. This critter is actually rather big. It's about 3-4cm long with a 5cm wingspan.]
Slowly getting the site back onto an even keel. It's nice to get back into the old posting rhythm.
Thor said,
October 7, 2007 @ 2:10 am
You wanna post the size of it? Most of your pictures have bugs that, although quite miniscule to us in real life, are quite terrifying when you zoom in with expert detail. I wanna know if it could be large enough to remove my hand or something while I’m sleeping. Info like this helps a lot.
Gregg E. said,
October 7, 2007 @ 3:31 am
It looks like it has only one pair of wings. Some insects with only one pair of wings have a set of things like this fly, which flap in opposition to the wings.
That or they are more of Howard Tayler’s fiddly bits.
Andy said,
October 7, 2007 @ 5:55 am
The knobbly bits behind the wings are Halteres (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haltere)
David Brady said,
October 7, 2007 @ 10:07 am
Thor: Sorry, I’ll edit the post. It was about 3-4cm long with a 5cm wingspan.
David Brady said,
October 7, 2007 @ 10:21 am
Gregg E.: lol …now I need to photoshop this critter so the nodules are yellow…
Thor said,
October 8, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
Thanks, that’s good.
If you wanna get some real authenticity, you could have it breaking the fourth wall somehow.