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Tipula vernalis

Tipula vernalis is about 2 centimeters in length and relatively easily identified. The dark line running over the body, usually runs all the way down to the end of the body. The line is black and strong. A few veins are blackly marked. The blackly marked veins near the top edge of the wings are shaped like a bowl and do not show the usually sharp angle. And when alive, the animal always has green eyes. Once prepared for an insect collection the green quickly disappears. The end of the body is rather blunt in females, compared to the tip of females of other Tipula species. Adult animals are mainly seen in May. This is a real springtime species. The larvae live in the soil, chewing on grass roots. It prefers dry grasslands, including wastelands in industrial areas. This is a common species all over Britain.