Lurking Crane Fly
Reader Cornelius sends in this photo of a crane fly (I think). He says it’s about 1.5cm long, which might make it a mosquito (though quite a large one). In this photo, it’s sitting in the corner of the windowsill… probably dreaming of warmer temperatures outside.
Craneflies usually have a broader schnoz than this bug, but mosquitoes usually have longer ones, so I’m not really sure what kind of bug this is. I really like the dramatic lighting of the photo, even if it does make identification trickier.
Any experts care to take a stab at identification?
Thanks Cornelius!
Slowly getting the site back onto an even keel. It's nice to get back into the old posting rhythm.
tceisele said,
January 17, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
It is really hard to tell, but the shape of the mouthparts looks a lot like the stabbing beak of a robber fly. The size of the eyes, length of the legs, and the way it holds its wings are all compatible with this too, as is the size of the insect (some robber flies are pretty big). I’d feel more confident about this identification if I could see the abdomen better, or could see any of the coloration (robber flies are usually black with grey stripes, kind of like a stretched housefly). It is a pretty good picture from an artistic point of view, though.
Then again, I could be completely wrong and it might be a crane fly after all.
b13 said,
January 17, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
This photo is really creeping me out. I would think it was a male mosquito if I saw it. We have HUGE ones here on Long Island. I love it… but could I suggest a vacuum and maybe a swiffer?
jerith said,
January 18, 2008 @ 3:07 am
You might want to look a bit further to the southeast for identification — I believe that picture was taken in South Africa, where the poor little beastie is almost certainly thankful he isn’t in the warmer temperatures outside. 1.5cm is a bit big for a mozzie, but not unheard of. I’m hardly an expert, though, except when it comes to grabbing them out of midair when the buzzing wakes me up at 3am.