Brachypremna dispellens
(Walker, 1861)
Brachypremna dispellens is a large crane fly in the Tipulidae. It is one of the most commonly observed crane flies in North America, with nearly 1,000 iNaturalist records. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Brachypremna dispellens: /ˌbræ.kɪˈprɛm.nə dɪˈspɛl.ɛnz/
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Identification
Large-bodied crane fly in Brachypremna. Distinguished from other large crane flies by combination of size and geographic range. Specific diagnostic characters require examination of wing venation and genitalia; field identification to is difficult without specimen handling.
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Distribution
Nearctic and Neotropical regions. United States: Illinois to Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, south to Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Central America: Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama; Trinidad. South America: Brazil (Pará), Colombia, Suriname, Venezuela.
Similar Taxa
- Other Brachypremna speciesRequire examination of wing venation and male terminalia for reliable separation; B. dispellens is the most widespread and commonly encountered in the in eastern North America.
- Tipula speciesLarge Tipula crane flies overlap in size and general appearance; Brachypremna have distinct wing venation patterns including reduced number of branches in radial sector.
More Details
Taxonomic note
Originally described as Tipula dispellens by Walker in 1861; later transferred to Brachypremna. Authority sometimes cited as (Walker, 1961) in NCBI, but original description was 1861.