[TN-Butterflies] Phantom Crane fly

From: klight10@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: lvthompson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, TN Butterflies <TN-Butterflies@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Moth group <ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Renee (EPSSC) Kelley" <slk@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, Pat Fitchpatrick <wolf5239@xxxxxxxxxxx>, Charlie Muise <cmmbirds@xxxxxxxxx>, "Bedell, Bettie" <geode12b@xxxxxxxxxxx>, "barkman, Dottie" <barkmans@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Eaton, Eric" <bugeric24@xxxxxxxxx>, "Eiseman, Charley" <ceiseman@xxxxxxxxx>, "Perry, Larry" <larryperry11@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:27:47 +0000 (UTC)

Hello! 

I got a photo of this strange insect at science camp today! It is called a 
Phantom Crane Fly ( Bittacomorpha spp.). They fly very slowly with their legs 
sticking out in a circle around their body so they look as though they float 
through the air! It had been years since I last saw one, so I was thrilled when 
it landed long enough for me to photograph it! The kids and I caught it in the 
we field and took it back to the cabin to share with the other kids. The second 
image is taken through a large plastic petri dish, it shows more of the details 
of the fly's body. It is amazing how small the wings are in comparison to the 
legs and abdomen! Note the tiny knobs behind the wings, those are called 
"halteres", all flies have these. I hope you enjoy seeing this as much as I 
did, I just wish you could see it in real life! 

Kris Light 
Oak Ridge, TN

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[TN-Butterflies] Phantom Crane fly

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