Trichocera maculipennis

The winged adults typically between 0.5–1 cm in length and appear between autumn and early spring.^[2]

There are four larval instars that feed on decaying matter and sometimes faeces. Pupation usually lasts only a few hours.^[2]

Similar to other species of Trichocera, winged winter craneflies are adapted to cold environments, but unlike most congeneric species, they seems to be tolerant to both warm and cold climates.^[3]

Furthermore, unlike most congeneric species, the larvae of 'Trichocera maculipennis seem to be adapted to survive in semi-liquid or even liquid environments. They likely achieve this by raising the anal end with spiracles above the surface of the substrate.^[3] This adaptation was likely a factor enabling them to establish in sewage in stations in Antarctica.

Trichocera maculipennis naturally occurs across Europe, North America, Asia, and India, ranging from temperate regions to Arctic regions.^[4] It is an introduced species in Antarctica and was first recorded there in the austral summer of 2006/2007.^[2] Since then, there were several attempts at eradication from Antarctic stations.^[3]

Media related to Trichocera maculipennis at Wikimedia Commons