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Classification Order: Diptera – true flies Family: Rhagionidae

Length .

Phenology Peak from May to July.

Identification

This snipe fly has a dark 'shade' on the outside of each wing.
Males are blackish-brown with relatively long pointed abdomens whilst the Females have shorter, blunter abdomens and more obvious grey dusting.

Other similars include thescarcer C. erythrophthalmus averages larger with shorter palps and a silver bands on the female abdomen.

Life Cycle

Larvae of C. cristatus live in wet mud and may posess toxicity It is carnivorous, catching other small inverts that pass its perching spot. Larvae live in leaf mould and are a lso carnivorous.

Habitat

A common medium-sized snipefly Found in damp shady places marshes, fens, damp meadows, ditches and water margins with lush vegetation. , often near woodland or ponds.