RAPHIDIOPTERA > Raphidiidae

 

The Raphidiidae family is represented in Britain by four species all in different genera and, although two are regarded as 'common', none are particularly widespread. The name snakefly comes from the characteristic, elongated pronotum, which is mobile and can be elevated such that it resembles a snake about to strike at its prey. Whilst they are very occasionally found at low level on large oak or pine trunks, or underlying vegetation in the vicinity thereof, they are usually high in the canopy out of sight. In fact, I think it would be right to say that they are seldom seen and rarely photographed, so I was rather fortunate with the individual I found in woodland at Kitt's Grave.

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Identification to species level is possible from well-detailed photos if they clearly show the wing veins and cells. The 'Britain's Insects' field guide includes a very good set of diagrams from which I was able to determine that the species featured here is the Pine Snakefly [Atlantoraphidia maculicollis]. Despite its common name, this species is found in both coniferous and deciduous woodland and is associated with oaks and larches as well as pines.

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The photos make it look somewhat larger than it actually was, as they are pretty small insects with a body length of no more than 10mm. The other so-called common species, the Oak Snakefly [Phaeostigma notata] averages 3-4mm longer. The rarer, localised species, are the Small Snakefly [Xanthostigma xanthostigma] and Scarce Snakefly [Subilla confinis].

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