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Western Giant Crane Fly

Holorusia hespera

Description:

Western Crane Fly species are large brown to reddish brown insects. They have very long legs, and a long slender abdomen. Measured from the tip of the head to the outer edge of the abdomen Western Crane Fly's body measures approximately 36 mm length. Western Crane Fly's have large compound eyes and long antennae. A single pair of front wings are 76mm long and sometimes held out away from the Crane Fly's body while it is resting. The Crane Fly pictured above is resting with wings folded to the body making the large halteres invisible. Halteres are a part of the Crane Fly's body that is a modified knob-like second pair of hind wings, that help it balance while using the single pair of developed wings in flight. Generally the flight of the Crane Fly is somewhat precarious,weak and slow. Crane Fly's wobble in flight. The extra long legs dangle freely in flight. The adult Western Crane Fly may shed their legs as a defensive mechanism if under attack by a predator. Although immature Crane Fly's live and develop in a lifespan up to five years,an adult Crane Fly's lifespan is two months or approximately 60 days.

Habitat:

Western Crane Fly adults are found around the World in temperate zones. In North America West of the Rockies in areas of forest,fields and streams. Often found in areas of vegetation,tree trunks in the air or walking on the ground. Also found along freshwater marshes streams and ponds. May be found in areas of rotting wood and woody matter. Adults do not eat, restricting their activities to mating and reproduction. The wormlike larvae of immature Crane Fly's in some species are aquatic,thriving in areas of slow moving fresh waters, feeding on water mosses,leaf matter and decomposing plant matter.

Notes:

This adult Western Crane Fly was enormous in size compared to other Crane Fly's frequenting our property. It was our first Western Crane Fly sighting. It was a bit startling to observe an insect so large. My helpmate held the ruler close to the Western Crane Fly so I could get a measurement and picture at one time, in case it flew away while attempting measurement first. It did not seem to mind our careful intrusion. Although not near enough to touch it on the leg or body the ruler reflects nicely the size of this Western Crane Fly. This spotting was mid morning. Hours later I noticed this giant Crane Fly was still resting in the same place. Although I was careful not to disturb this grand sized insect at a third trip outdoors for a peek I discovered it had flown away. I did not get to see this giant beauty in flight. It did have a reddish tint and through the hollows of body form and posture it looked to have marking of green color(picture above) that matched my carport color. I did discover this was an illusion created by background beneath the Crane Fly in a resting position.

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Hoquiam, Washington, USA

Spotted on Jul 31, 2012
Submitted on Aug 2, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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