Fly - Ask Extension
Found this in my yard.
Thought would send a photo in case it was something that IED would want to know about. Thank you
Knowledgebase
Fly #864590
Asked April 15, 2024, 12:53 PM EDT
Found this in my yard.
Thought would send a photo in case it was something that IED would want to know about. Thank you
Columbia County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Marcie,
What a beauty, eh? Glad you got to see one of these interesting insects.
The insect you found is a cranefly called Phoroctenia vittata (formerly Ctenophora vittata). That one is a female. Males have more elaborate antennae.Phoroctenia vittata is a pretty cool species of cranefly. The adults are quite interesting (some might say attractive). They look a bit like wasps, but do not bite, sting or do any damage. Larvae of this species are not pests either. They live in and feed on soft, decaying, dead wood. Occasionally you might find them in decaying, dead wood on live trees or shrubs that are in bad shape. They just colonize to take advantage of the dead wood though and do not harm any healthy, live parts of the plant.
Enjoy!
What a beauty, eh? Glad you got to see one of these interesting insects.
The insect you found is a cranefly called Phoroctenia vittata (formerly Ctenophora vittata). That one is a female. Males have more elaborate antennae.Phoroctenia vittata is a pretty cool species of cranefly. The adults are quite interesting (some might say attractive). They look a bit like wasps, but do not bite, sting or do any damage. Larvae of this species are not pests either. They live in and feed on soft, decaying, dead wood. Occasionally you might find them in decaying, dead wood on live trees or shrubs that are in bad shape. They just colonize to take advantage of the dead wood though and do not harm any healthy, live parts of the plant.
Enjoy!
Thank you!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 16, 2024, at 9:03 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thank you!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 16, 2024, at 9:03 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
