Crane Fly

Nephrotoma antennata is a species indigenous to South Africa

comments (4)

travismorhardt

Lion

Claire, glad to see you are picking up on the manual species creation! However, Crane flies are an entire family of insects of thousands of species worldwide. I don't doubt that this is N. antennata; I trust you have done your research and I know nothing of South African Tipulids.

But I don't believe "Crane Fly" should be the common name for this species alone, as most crane fly species are simply called crane flies. Therefore, if more crane flies are to be uploaded to JD, all of the common names for them will be "The Crane Fly". See what I mean?

I guess it really probably isn't that big of a matter, since that is their common name, but I can see where it might get confusing down the road. So maybe the best way to go would be to leave out common names on species like crane flies? Posted 11 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Absolutely agree with you, thanks for pointing that out! There is no common name for this particular one, so I shall use the latin name Posted 11 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    That's the correct way to go about it, and thanks indeed for helping with the species system.
    
    Back on topic: that's some superior skill you're showing in this shot. Getting these thin insects fully in focus whilst perfectly separating them from the background: no easy task. Respect! Posted 11 years ago
  2. 1. Claire Hamilton
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks Ferdy, I have to admit it was not easy and took quite a few attempts whilst grovelling around on a wet forest floor! Posted 11 years ago