I found this unusually colourful female cranefly Nephrotoma crocata busy laying eggs in the flower borders in Durham University Botanic Garden. This wasp-like colour scheme looks like a fine example of mimicry, pretending to be something dangerous as a means of defence, and its jerky movements as it poked its tail end in the soil added to a convincing air of menace. It's harmless though - a 'sheep in wolf's clothing'.
Posts
