tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post4758488934586480521..comments2023-06-19T10:11:05.122+01:00Comments on East Glamorgan Wildlife: Spotted crane fly at Forest FarmAdam Mantellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825643943800910778noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-1069040370994119292016-06-08T00:53:20.212+01:002016-06-08T00:53:20.212+01:00agreed flavipalps Female Scorps cant be done in t...agreed flavipalps Female Scorps cant be done in the field http://www.ukwildlife.net/insects/mecoptera/panorpa_communis.htmlColin Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13312247174415531014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-81432968266453134522014-08-15T17:48:34.946+01:002014-08-15T17:48:34.946+01:00Yes the 'diagnostic' yellow used to ID thi...Yes the 'diagnostic' yellow used to ID this species in the key for Nephrotoma is a bit misleading, as it's really more of a reddish orange. I've seen a few this week and all have had the same head colour as Howard's specimen.GMThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08759152282751126808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-52514079000292820882014-08-12T09:18:31.989+01:002014-08-12T09:18:31.989+01:00The head isn't black, which it would be on the...The head isn't black, which it would be on the other species with a black stigma!VC41Mothshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263945533123756002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-14768192844168178492014-08-12T09:17:43.938+01:002014-08-12T09:17:43.938+01:00Colin Plant's key to Scorpion Flies implies th...Colin Plant's key to Scorpion Flies implies that the wing markings are too variable to be diagnostic. Keys can of course be wrong!VC41Mothshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263945533123756002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-674563619712449012014-08-11T18:03:05.595+01:002014-08-11T18:03:05.595+01:00Ok you've got me on that one! I hadn't not...Ok you've got me on that one! I hadn't noticed the dark stigma against the ground colour, but I still wouldn't say that the head colour is the 'diagnostic' yellow. However, I concede the extent of the colour is more extensive than that shown in images for appendiculata and so, on reflection, I agree that flavipalpis is a better match.<br /><br />HowardHoward Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15140736388789494773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-81092620296565560412014-08-11T17:31:55.479+01:002014-08-11T17:31:55.479+01:00Hi Dave. As you know I tend to base my IDs on visu...Hi Dave. As you know I tend to base my IDs on visual appearance and image comparison and I have to admit that I opted for communis on the basis that I thought the spots on the wings were a better match for this species than for germanica.<br /><br />Howard Howard Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15140736388789494773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-28774051396524143022014-08-11T15:05:25.308+01:002014-08-11T15:05:25.308+01:00In fact having keyed it out, I'm pretty sure t...In fact having keyed it out, I'm pretty sure the Cranefly is Nephrotoma flavipalpis - the combination of dark stigma and the colour of the head being diagnostic.VC41Mothshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263945533123756002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-36910291138341313542014-08-11T14:55:11.381+01:002014-08-11T14:55:11.381+01:00What makes you say it the Scorpion fly is communis...What makes you say it the Scorpion fly is communis rather than germanica? I thought it was almost impossible to separate the females of these species. I would also be interested to know how you get to Nephrotoma appendiculata without a side view of the thorax.VC41Mothshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263945533123756002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-7396383110930854442014-08-10T23:39:37.848+01:002014-08-10T23:39:37.848+01:00Thanks tomcat. I've looked these up and they d...Thanks tomcat. I've looked these up and they do seem to fit the bill nicely.Howard Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15140736388789494773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7541969416563942273.post-66326960612303236432014-08-08T21:58:06.925+01:002014-08-08T21:58:06.925+01:00I would suggest you are correct on both counts - S...I would suggest you are correct on both counts - Spotted Cranefly, Nephrotoma appendiculata and Scorpion Fly most likley Panorpa communis tomcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14355228168397002373noreply@blogger.com