Numbers
Arnett, p. 832, lists four genera and 11 species.
(1)
10 species in 4 genera listed at
nearctica.comIdentification
Resemble large crane flies (Diptera: Tipulidae). Close examination reveals four wings (not two) and no
halteres. Hang by front and middle legs from low plants, and use hind legs to capture passing prey.
Tarsi have only one claw. Have a prominent "beak" like Scorpionflies, but wings are unspotted, at least in North American species.
Range
Bittacus is a widespread genus (8 spp.) of eastern woodlands. Rests with wings folded.
Black-tipped Hangingfly (Hylobittacus apicalis) is active during the day; found in eastern United States. It rests with wings outspread, and has black wingtips.
Orobittacus obscurus is nocturnal and rests with wings folded; found in California.
Apterobittacus apterus is a wingless species found in California.
Habitat
Typically woodlands near streams; adults often attracted to lights.
Season
May-September or October (Bittacus, North Carolina)
Food
Predatory on small insects, especially Diptera. Capture prey with hind legs while hanging by front legs from perch.
Life Cycle
Males offer nuptial gifts of prey to females. They mate while hanging from a perch. Eggs are rectangular, with a depression on each side. They are laid on marshy ground during summer, and hatch the next spring. Larvae resemble caterpillars and are unique among the larvae of
holometabolous insects in that they have
ocelli.
Print References
Arnett, pp. 832-833, describes genera, fig. 28.4--
Boreus, wingless genus
(1)
Brimley, p. 250, lists several species of
Bittacus for North Carolina.
(2)
Swan and Papp, p. 189, figs. 197--
Bittacus, 197A--
Apterobittacus apterus (3)
Borror and White, pp. 210-211, illustrate wing venation.
(4)
Powell and Hogue, pp. 134-135, figs. 152--
Apterobittacus, 153--
Bittacus chlorostigma (5)
Preston-Mafham describes nuptial gifts, p. 80, prey capture strategies, p. 257.
(6)Internet References
Insects of Cedar Creek habitat and link to pinned adult images of undetermined
Bittacus sp. (U. of Minnesota)
