The Ptychopteridae, phantom crane flies, are a small family (three extant genera) of nematocerous Diptera. Superficially similar in appearance to other "tipuloid" families, they lack the

ocelli A simple eye (sometimes called a pigment pit) refers to a form of eye or an optical arrangement composed of a single lens and without an elaborate retina such as occurs in most vertebrates. In this sense "simple eye" is distinct from a multi-l ...

of the

Trichoceridae Trichoceridae, or winter crane flies, of the order Diptera are long, thin, delicate insects superficially similar in appearance to the Tipulidae, Tanyderidae, and Ptychopteridae. The presence of ocelli distinguishes the Trichoceridae from these ...

, the five-branched radial vein of the

Tanyderidae Tanyderidae, sometimes called primitive crane flies, are long, thin, delicate flies with spotted wings, superficially similar in appearance to some Tipulidae, Trichoceridae, and Ptychopteridae. Most species are restricted in distribution. They ...

, and the two anal veins that reach the

wing A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expres ...

margins of the

Tipulidae Crane fly is a common name referring to any member of the insect family (biology), family Tipulidae. Cylindrotominae, Limoniinae, and Pediciinae have been ranked as subfamilies of Tipulidae by most authors, though occasionally elevated to family ...

. They are usually allied with the Tanyderidae based on similarities of the mesonotal suture, this group being called the Ptychopteromorpha.

Life history

Egg

''Ptychoptera albimana'' (Palearctic) has a mean of 554 eggs laid. The shape is slightly arcuated, "curiously ornamented", and roughly . Duration is reported at 7 days.

Larvae

The

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. The ...

e are eucephalous and distinctive for the long, caudal respiratory siphon they possess. At hatching, they measure just under in ''P. albimana'', quickly growing to nearly . They occur in moist habitats (described as "wet swales and meadows" for ''Ptychoptera''; along lentic shorelines and alder swamps for ''Bittacomorpha'') where they feed as collector-gatherers on decaying organic matter.

Pupae

The pupae possess a single, greatly elongated spiracular horn protruding from their thoraces. In ''Ptychoptera'' and ''Bittacomorpha'', the right horn is elongated; in ''Bittacomorphella'', the left. Reported times spent in this stage vary from 5 to 12 days. Ptychoptera 2

Adult

The adults are found most often from late spring through to autumn in shaded, moist environs. Presumably, adults feed little, if at all. Two generations occur per year. The common species of Eastern North America (''Bittacomorpha clavipes'') is known for the odd habit of spreading out its legs while flying, using expanded, trachea-rich tarsi to waft along on air currents. Why they are called “phantom” crane flies: Their legs are thin and black with white sheaths near the tips, and when they fly under a shady tree, everything disappears except the white spots, appearing and disappearing like a “phantom”.

Subfamilies

The general appearance of the two forms is strikingly different. The species of the Bittacomorphinae are similar in size and shape to the Tipulidae, but exhibit a striking black and white coloration — hence the common name "phantom crane flies". The two genera differ as adults in their size and the extent of white coloration on the legs. The larvae of ''Bittacomorphella'' possess unique protuberances not seen in the other two genera. ''Ptychoptera'' species resemble large mycetophilids, being generally a shiny black and often with patterned wings. Ptychopterinae – 16 antennomeres; M₁ cell present *''Ptychoptera'' Bittacomorphinae – 20 antennomeres; M₁ & M₂ veins fused, thus without M₁ cell *''Bittacomorpha'' *''Bittacomorphella'' *Bittacomorphinae **'' Bittacomorpha'' ***''

Bittacomorpha clavipes ''Bittacomorpha clavipes'', known as the phantom crane fly (though this name can also apply to any member of Ptychopteridae), is a species of fly in the family Ptychopteridae. It is found in the eastern United States west to the Rocky Mountains. ...

'' - Eastern NA to the edge of the Rocky Mountains (though not as abundant in the Plains states) ***'' Bittacomorpha occidentalis'' - Pacific Northwest **'' Bittacomorphella'' ***''

Bittacomorphella jonesi ''Bittacomorphella jonesi'', the pygmy phantom crane fly, is a species of phantom crane fly in the family Ptychopteridae The Ptychopteridae, phantom crane flies, are a small family (three extant genera) of nematocerous Diptera. Superficially sim ...

'' - New England down to North Carolina, west to Minnesota and Michigan ***''

Bittacomorphella esakii ''Bittacomorphella'' is a genus of pygmy phantom crane flies in the family Ptychopteridae The Ptychopteridae, phantom crane flies, are a small family (three extant genera) of nematocerous Diptera. Superficially similar in appearance to other "ti ...

'' - Japan ***''

Bittacomorphella fenderiana ''Bittacomorphella'' is a genus of pygmy phantom crane flies in the family Ptychopteridae. There are about 11 described species in ''Bittacomorphella''. Species These 11 species belong to the genus ''Bittacomorphella'': * ''Bittacomorphella esaki ...

'' - Queen Charlotte Island down to Northern Oregon. ***''

Bittacomorphella nipponensis ''Bittacomorphella'' is a genus of pygmy phantom crane flies in the family Ptychopteridae. There are about 11 described species in ''Bittacomorphella''. Species These 11 species belong to the genus ''Bittacomorphella'': * ''Bittacomorphella esaki ...

'' - ***''

Bittacomorphella pacifica ''Bittacomorphella'' is a genus of pygmy phantom crane flies in the family Ptychopteridae. There are about 11 described species in ''Bittacomorphella''. Species These 11 species belong to the genus ''Bittacomorphella'': * ''Bittacomorphella esaki ...

'' - Northern California up through Oregon (possibly Washington?) ***''

Bittacomorphella sackenii ''Bittacomorphella'' is a genus of pygmy phantom crane flies in the family Ptychopteridae. There are about 11 described species in ''Bittacomorphella''. Species These 11 species belong to the genus ''Bittacomorphella'': * ''Bittacomorphella esaki ...

'' - Sierra Nevadas ***''

Bittacomorphella thaiensis ''Bittacomorphella'' is a genus of pygmy phantom crane flies in the family Ptychopteridae. There are about 11 described species in ''Bittacomorphella''. Species These 11 species belong to the genus ''Bittacomorphella'': * ''Bittacomorphella esaki ...

'' - *Ptychopterinae **'' Ptychoptera'' ***'' Ptychoptera byersi'' - California ***'' Ptychoptera lenis'' ****''P. l. lenis'' - Pacific Northwest ****''P. l. coloradensis'' - Colorado/Utah ***'' Ptychoptera metallica'' - Central Canada, Minnesota & Michigan ***'' Ptychoptera minor'' - California/Idaho ***'' Ptychoptera monoensis'' - Northern California ***'' Ptychoptera osceola'' - Florida ***'' Ptychoptera pendula'' - British Columbia to Utah & Colorado ***'' Ptychoptera quadrifasciata'' - Eastern North America (Syn ''P. rufocinctus'') ***'' Ptychoptera sculleni'' - Pacific Northwest ***'' Ptychoptera townesi'' - Washington & Oregon ***'' Ptychoptera uta'' - Utah

Fossil Subfamilies and genera

* Subfamily Bittacomorphinae ** †'' Probittacomorpha'' *** †''Probittacomorpha brisaci'' - Montagne d'Andance

Miocene The Miocene ( ) is the first geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and means "less recen ...

(

Turolian The Turolian age is a period of geologic time (9.0–5.3 Ma) within the Miocene used more specifically with European Land Mammal Ages. It precedes the Ruscinian age and follows the Vallesian age. The Turolian overlaps the Tortonian The Tortoni ...

), France *** †''Probittacomorpha christenseni'' -

Fur Formation The Fur Formation is a marine geological formation of Ypresian (Lower Eocene Epoch, c. 56.0-54.5 Ma) age which crops out in the Limfjord region of Denmark from Silstrup via Mors and Fur to Ertebølle, and can be seen in many cliffs and quarries in ...

Eocene The Eocene ( ) Epoch is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (mya). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), Era. The name ''Eocene' ...

(

Ypresian In the geologic timescale the Ypresian is the oldest age (geology), age or lowest stage (stratigraphy), stratigraphic stage of the Eocene. It spans the time between , is preceded by the Thanetian Age (part of the Paleocene) and is followed by th ...

), Denmark; ** †'' Zhiganka'' *** †''Zhiganka comitans'' -

Batylykh Formation The Batylykh Formation is a geological formation in Yakutia, Russia. It is of an uncertain Early Cretaceous age, probably dating between the Berriasian and the Barremian. It is the oldest unit of the thick Sangar Series within the Vilyuy syne ...

Early Cretaceous (

Neocomian In geology, Neocomian was a name given to the lowest stage of the Cretaceous system. It is generally considered to encompass the interval now covered by the Berriasian, Valanginian and Hauterivian, from approximately 145 to 130 Ma. It was introduce ...

), Russia *** †''Zhiganka longialata'' - Khasurty locality Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Russia *** †''Zhiganka woolgari'' -

Weald Clay Weald Clay or the Weald Clay Formation is a Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rock unit underlying areas of South East England, between the North and South Downs, in an area called the Weald Basin. It is the uppermost unit of the Wealden Group of ro ...

Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian), England * Subfamily. †Eoptychopterinae ** †'' Architendipes'' *** †''Architendipes tshernovskiji'' - Dzhil Formation Early Jurassic (Hettangian), Kyrgyzstan ** †'' Doptychoptera'' *** †''Doptychoptera baisica'' -

Zaza Formation The Zaza Formation is a geological formation located in Buryatia (Russia). It dates to the Lower Cretaceous period. It is Aptian in age and consists of Sandstone, sandstones, Siltstone, siltstones, Marl, marls and bituminous Shale, shales, deposi ...

Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Russia ** †'' Eolimnobia'' *** †''Eolimnobia geinitzi'' -

Ciechocinek Formation The Ciechocinek Formation (also known as the Gryfice Formation at Suliszewo), formerly known in Germany as the Green Series (German: ''Grüne Serie'') is a Jurassic (lower Toarcian) geologic formation that extends across the Baltic coast, from ...

Early Jurassic (Toarcian), Germany ** †'' Eoptychoptera'' *** †''Eoptychoptera aequidistans'' - Dzhil Formation Early Jurassic (Hettangian), Kyrgyzstan *** †''Eoptychoptera altaica'' - Ortsog Formation Middle Jurassic (Bajocian), Mongolia *** †''Eoptychoptera ansorgei'' -

Daohugou Formation The Tiaojishan Formation is a geological formation in Hebei and Liaoning, People's Republic of China, dating to the middle-late Jurassic period (Bathonian- Oxfordian stages). It is known for its exceptionally preserved fossils, including those of ...

Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Eoptychoptera asiatica'' -

Karabastau Formation The Karabastau Formation ( kk, Qarabastaý svıtasy) is a geological formation and lagerstätte in the Karatau Mountains of southern Kazakhstan whose strata date to the Middle to Late Jurassic. It is an important locality for insect fossils that ...

Late Jurassic, Kazakhstan *** †''Eoptychoptera aucta'' - Karabastau Formation Late Jurassic, Kazakhstan *** †''Eoptychoptera braziliana'' -

Crato Formation The Crato Formation is a geologic formation of Early Cretaceous ( Aptian) age in northeastern Brazil's Araripe Basin. It is an important Lagerstätte (undisturbed fossil accumulation) for palaeontologists. The strata were laid down mostly duri ...

Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Brazil *** †''Eoptychoptera britannica'' - Weald Clay Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian), England *** †''Eoptychoptera cantabrica'' - Spanish amber (

Albian The Albian is both an age of the geologic timescale and a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is the youngest or uppermost subdivision of the Early/Lower Cretaceous Epoch/Series. Its approximate time range is 113.0 ± 1.0 Ma to 100.5 ± 0.9 M ...

), Spain *** †''Eoptychoptera cretacea'' - Zaza Formation Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Russia *** †''Eoptychoptera elevata'' - Khaya Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia *** †''Eoptychoptera eximia'' - Ciechocinek Formation Early Jurassic (Toarcian), Germany *** †''Eoptychoptera jurassica'' - Daohugou Formation Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Eoptychoptera longifurcata'' -

Lulworth Formation The Lulworth Formation is a geologic formation in England. It dates from the late Tithonian to the mid Berriasian. It is a subunit of the Purbeck Group. In Dorset, it consists of three members, which are in ascending order, the Mupe Member, the ...

Early Cretaceous (Berriasian), England *** †''Eoptychoptera magna'' - Karabastau Formation Late Jurassic, Kazakhstan *** †''Eoptychoptera maxima'' -

Itat Formation The Itat Formation (Russian: итатская свита) is a geologic formation in western Siberia. It was deposited in the Bajocian to Bathonian ages of the Middle Jurassic. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from t ...

Middle Jurassic (Bathonian), Russia *** †''Eoptychoptera modica'' - Itat Formation (Middle Jurassic (Bathonian), Russia *** †''Eoptychoptera paramaculata'' - Itat Formation (Middle Jurassic (Bathonian), Russia *** †''Eoptychoptera shurabica'' - Sagul Formation Early Jurassic (Toarcian), Kyrgyzstan *** †''Eoptychoptera simplex'' - Ciechocinek Formation Early Jurassic (Toarcian), Germany *** †''Eoptychoptera spectra'' -

Charmouth Mudstone Formation The Charmouth Mudstone Formation is a geological formation in England. It preserves fossils dating back to the early part of the Jurassic period (Sinemurian–Pliensbachian). It forms part of the lower Lias Group. It is most prominently exposed at ...

(

Sinemurian In the geologic timescale, the Sinemurian is an age and stage in the Early or Lower Jurassic Epoch or Series. It spans the time between 199.3 ± 2 Ma and 190.8 ± 1.5 Ma (million years ago). The Sinemurian is preceded by the Hettangian and is ...

), United Kingdom *** †''Eoptychoptera tempestilla'' -

Ulan Malgait Formation The Ulan Malgait Formation is a Late Jurassic geologic formation in Mongolia. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation, although none have yet been referred to a specific genus.Weishampel et al., 2004, p ...

Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Mongolia *** †''Eoptychoptera vitrea'' - Dzhil Formation Early Jurassic (Hettangian), Kyrgyzstan **†'' Eoptychopterina'' *** †''Eoptychopterina adnexa'' - Daohugou Formation Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Eoptychopterina angularis'' - Karabastau Formation Late Jurassic, Kazakhstan *** †''Eoptychopterina antica'' - Daohugou Formation Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Eoptychopterina baisica'' - Zaza Formation Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Russia *** †''Eoptychopterina camura'' - Weald Clay Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian), United Kingdom *** †''Eoptychopterina daiensis'' -

Glushkovo Formation Glushkovo (russian: Глушково) is the name of several inhabited localities in Russia. ;Urban localities *Glushkovo, Glushkovsky District, Kursk Oblast, a work settlement in Glushkovsky District of Kursk Oblast ;Rural localities * Glushko ...

Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia *** †''Eoptychopterina demissa'' -

Durlston Formation The Durlston Formation is a geologic formation in England. Particularly in the Isle of Purbeck. It preserves fossils dating back to the Berriasian stage of the Lower Cretaceous. Vertebrate paleobiota Crocodyliformes See also * List of f ...

Early Cretaceous (Berriasian), United Kingdom *** †''Eoptychopterina dimidiata'' - Durlston Formation Early Cretaceous (Berriasian), United Kingdom *** †''Eoptychopterina elenae'' - Daohugou Formation Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Eoptychopterina glabra'' - Itat Formation Middle Jurassic (Bathonian), Russia *** †''Eoptychopterina kaluginae'' - Ulan Malgait Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Mongolia *** †''Eoptychopterina karatavica'' - Karabastau Formation Late Jurassic, Kazakhstan *** †''Eoptychopterina mediata'' - Daohugou Formation Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Eoptychopterina omissa'' - Karabastau Formation Late Jurassic, Kazakhstan *** †''Eoptychopterina petri'' - Glushkovo Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia *** †''Eoptychopterina postica'' - Daohugou Formation Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Eoptychopterina rohdendorphi'' - Ichetuy Formation Late Jurassic ( Oxfordian), Russia *** †''Eoptychopterina transbaicalica'' -

Uda Formation Uda or UDA may refer to: UDA * UD Almería, a Spanish football club * Unión Deportivo Ascensión, a Peruvian football club * Ulster Defence Association, a loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland * Union des artistes, a Quebec act ...

Late Jurassic (Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian), Russia *** †''Eoptychopterina undensis'' - Glushkovo Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia ** †'' Leptychoptera'' *** †''Leptychoptera'' subgenus ''(Burmaptychoptera)'' **** †''Leptychoptera (Burmaptychoptera) calva'' -

Burmese amber Burmese amber, also known as Burmite or Kachin amber, is amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar. The amber is dated to around 100 million years ago, during the latest Albian to earliest Cenomanian ages of the mid-Cretaceous period. The ...

Mid Cretaceous (latest Albian-earliest

Cenomanian The Cenomanian is, in the ICS' geological timescale, the oldest or earliest age of the Late Cretaceous Epoch or the lowest stage of the Upper Cretaceous Series. An age is a unit of geochronology; it is a unit of time; the stage is a unit in the s ...

), Myanmar **** †''Leptychoptera (Burmaptychoptera) reburra'' - Burmese amber Mid Cretaceous (latest Albian-earliest Cenomanian), Myanmar *** †''Leptychoptera'' subgenus'' (Leptychoptera)'' **** †''Leptychoptera (Leptychoptera) dimkina'' -

Lebanese amber Lebanese amber is fossilized resin found in Lebanon and southwest Syria. It dates back approximately 130-125 million years to the Barremian of the Early Cretaceous. It formed on what was then the northern coast of Gondwana, believed to be a tropi ...

Early Cretaceous (

Barremian The Barremian is an age in the geologic timescale (or a chronostratigraphic stage) between 129.4 ± 1.5 Ma (million years ago) and 121.4 ± 1.0 Ma). It is a subdivision of the Early Cretaceous Epoch (or Lower Cretaceous Series). It is preceded ...

) Lebanon **** †''Leptychoptera (Leptychoptera) vovkina'' - Lebanese amber Early Cretaceous (Barremian) Lebanon ** †'' Nedoptychoptera'' *** †''Nedoptychoptera karatavica'' - Karabastau Formation Late Jurassic, Kazakhstan ** †'' Neuseptychoptera'' *** †''Neuseptychoptera carolinensis'' - Neuse River amber Late Cretaceous (

Campanian The Campanian is the fifth of six ages of the Late Cretaceous Epoch on the geologic timescale of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS). In chronostratigraphy, it is the fifth of six stages in the Upper Cretaceous Series. Campanian s ...

), North Carolina, *†subfamily Proptychopterininae **†'' Proptychopterina'' *** †''Proptychopterina amota'' - Itat Formation Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Russia *** †''Proptychopterina evecta'' - Karabastau Formation Late Jurassic Kazakhstan *** †''Proptychopterina gracilis'' - Karabastau Formation Late Jurassic Kazakhstan *** †''Proptychopterina handlirschi'' - Itat Formation Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Russia *** †''Proptychopterina immensa'' - Khaya Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia *** †''Proptychopterina makarova'' - Makarova Formation Early Jurassic (Toarcian), Russia *** †''Proptychopterina mongolica'' - Ulaan-Ereg Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Mongolia *** †''Proptychopterina oleynikovi'' - Glushkovo Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia *** †''Proptychopterina opinata'' -Daohugou Formation Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Proptychopterina sharategica'' - Ulan Malgait Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Mongolia *** †''Proptychopterina tenera'' - Khaya Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia *** †''Proptychopterina yeniseica'' - Itat Formation Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Russia *Subfamily Ptychopterinae **†'' Brodilka'' *** †''Brodilka mitchelli'' - Lulworth Formation Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) United Kingdom ** ''Ptychoptera'' *** †'' Ptychoptera deleta'' - Cypris Formation (

), Czech Republic *** †'' Ptychoptera eocenica'' -

Baltic amber The Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of amber, called Baltic amber or succinite. It was produced sometime during the Eocene epoch, but exactly when is controversial. It has been estimated that these forests created more than 1 ...

(

Priabonian The Priabonian is, in the ICS's geologic timescale, the latest age or the upper stage of the Eocene Epoch or Series. It spans the time between . The Priabonian is preceded by the Bartonian and is followed by the Rupelian, the lowest stage of t ...

), Russia *** †'' Ptychoptera mesozoica'' - Zaza Formation Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Russia *** †'' Ptychoptera miocenica'' -

Florissant Formation The Florissant Formation is a sedimentary geologic formation outcropping around Florissant, Teller County, Colorado. The formation is noted for the abundant and exceptionally preserved insect and plant fossils that are found in the mudstones and ...

(Priabonian), Colorado ** †'' Sinoptychopterites'' *** †''Sinoptychopterites paludus'' - Fushin amber (Ypresian), China *Subfamily ''incertae sedis'' ** †'' Bolboia'' *** †''Bolboia mira'' - Byankino Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia ** †'' Crenoptychoptera'' *** †''Crenoptychoptera antica'' - Itat Formation Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Russia *** †''Crenoptychoptera bavarica'' - Solnhofen Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Germany *** †''Crenoptychoptera conspecta'' - Cheremkhovskaya Formation, Early Jurassic (Toarcian), Russia *** †''Crenoptychoptera decorosa'' - Daohugou Formation Middle Jurassic (Callovian), China *** †''Crenoptychoptera defossa'' - Itat Formation Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Russia *** †''Crenoptychoptera dobbertinensis'' - Ciechocinek Formation Early Jurassic (Toarcian), Germany *** †''Crenoptychoptera gronskayae'' - Khaya Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Russia *** †''Crenoptychoptera liturata'' - Ulan Malgait Formation Late Jurassic (Tithonian), Mongolia ** †'' Etoptychoptera'' *** †''Etoptychoptera tertiaria'' -

Allenby Formation The Allenby formation is a sedimentary rock formation in British Columbia which was deposited during the Ypresian stage of the Early Eocene. It consists of conglomerates, sandstones with interbedded shales and coal. The shales contain an abun ...

(

), Canada

References

External links

Catalog of Life

Bug GuidePhotograph of larva at Troutnut.com websiteDiptera.info GalleryVideo
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1394972 Nematocera families