Tipula simplex
| Tipula simplex | |
|---|---|
| |
| Dead male specimen of Tipula simplex | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Tipulidae |
| Subfamily: | Tipulinae |
| Genus: | Tipula |
| Subgenus: | Triplicitipula |
| Species: | T. simplex
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tipula simplex Doane, 1909
| |
Tipula simplex, commonly known as the range crane fly, is a species of crane fly in the family Tipulidae, found in the western United States.[1] It is arguably the most well-known/well-researched crane fly in Tipulidae.[2]
Description
[edit]The male has a wing length of 11–12 mm (0.43–0.47 in), whilst the female is essentially wingless, with wings greatly reduced and subequal in length to the halteres.[3]
The wing pattern consists of dark brown spots along the costal and apical margins separated by about 2 mm.[citation needed]
Habitat
[edit]The potential suitable habitats of T. simplex are unirrigated pastures of the Central Valley (California).[4]
Range
[edit]T. simplex has a known distribution in California, from Santa Cruz County north to Colusa County and east to Mariposa County.[1] There are unconfirmed reports of T. simplex east of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon.[4]
Diet
[edit]T. simplex larvae feed on old cow manure, plant roots, and decaying matter.[4] The feeding habits of adults are currently unknown along with all Tipulidae.[2]
Ecology
[edit]Larvae can cause adverse effects in the pastures they inhabit in high enough concenctrations. It has been observed, once every 6 years or so in Tulare County, that the numbers of larvae in an area can destroy all forage/fodder, make hills bare, and negatively affect the watershed.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Range Crane Fly (Tipula simplex)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Crane fly description & behavior". Britannica. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ Alexander, Charles P. (1967). "The Crane Flies of California" (PDF). Bulletin of the California Insect Survey Volume 8. Essig Museum of Entomology. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d Hartman, M. J.; Thomas, C. L (1983). "Impact and Control of the Range Crane Fly (Tipula simplex Doane) in the Central Valley of California". Journal of Range Management. 36 (5). Arizona Repository: 547–549. doi:10.2307/3898336. hdl:10150/645891. JSTOR 3898336. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
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