For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Trichacantha atranupta

Trichacantha atranupta family Athericidae

Quoted from: Field guide to South African Insects


"Members of this small, rather primitive, family resembles small horseflies with large, often smoky wings. Adults are found on rocks or vegetation alongside fast-flowing streams, where the aquatic larvae are predators. The region has the richest athericid fauna in the world, with at least 16 species in 3 genera.”



 
The hind legs are greatly enlarged and elongated.
Males (shown here) have a black patch on each wing while the females are small and a darkish brown.