Bittacomorpha clavipes

Description

Bittacomorpha clavipes, known as the phantom crane fly (though this name can also apply to any member of Ptychopteridae), is a species of fly in the family Ptychopteridae. It is found in the eastern United States west to the Rocky Mountains. It flies upright with its legs spread apart. The female lays hundreds of eggs by dipping its abdomen in the water. Bittacomorpha is a genus of phantom crane flies in the family Ptychopteridae. There are about 11 described species in Bittacomorpha.