This crane fly is approximately 1 inch (25 mm) in length. The head is small and yellow-orange. The thorax is yellow-orange with reddish-brown markings. The abdomen is mostly yellow-orange with black dashes. Some have a black band near the tip (Photos 1&2). The female has a pointed tip on the abdomen and the male has a rounded, bulbous tip. The wings are clear except for an orange-brown strip along the leading edge ending in a dark brown S-shaped mark. The legs are long and brown.
This crane fly is considered to be common in this area. The individuals shown here were photographed in Fontenelle Forest in May and June.
There are 40 species in the genus Nephrotoma. This genus is largely identified by wing venation and the look of a “polished body”. Some of these individuals were identified from photographs by volunteer experts at the BugGuide website.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.