Short-palped Crane Flie

Description:

Gynoplistia are most obvious in the field being larger and more robust than the usual limoniid and often with conspicuously banded wings and legs.

Habitat:

Several flying around and then resting in a walking track , which is being replanted after extensive logging- plants are now atleast 3 years old. Gums , eucalypts, banksia , bottle brush and dogwood.

Notes:

Until recently the limoniids were placed as a subfamily within Tipulidae. Limoniids belong to the group of craneflies referred to as 'short-palped' craneflies. This is due to their last maxillary palpus segment (mouth appendage) being short in comparison to 'long-palped' craneflies (Tipulidae proper) where this segment is noticeably elongate and whip-like. Limoniids are also usually smaller and more delicate looking than tipulids. The larvae are found in a range of habitats from lowlands to alpine. They are restricted to moist environments such as saturated soil, under mosses and liverworts, within decaying and rotting vegetation, and so on, while some are properly aquatic. The adults prefer to rest in dark shady areas during the day and are generally most active during twilight. Some have the peculiar habit of hanging from spider webs.