Brightening up the shady undergrowth with a warm, fiery glow, Phylidorea ferruginea stands out from typical dull gray crane flies. Measuring in as a medium-sized limoniid fly, this striking Palearctic insect sports a vibrant orange thorax and abdomen that practically shine against green leaves. Belonging to the limoniid crane flies (Limoniidae) family, it carries a neat architectural trick: when at rest, it folds its wings completely flat over its back, unlike typical giant crane flies (Tipulidae) that hold theirs outstretched like airplane wings. These harmless creatures flourish in damp, water-rich marshes, swamps, and muddy forest edges from May through October. Adults lead brief lives focused entirely on finding a mate, while their larvae thrive below in humus-rich soil and damp leaf litter. I came across this colorful fly flattened against a leaf in a dense, shaded canopy right at the edge of a post-glacial lake near Barkarby, Sweden. Navigating the poor lighting made getting a clear shot tough, but with a bit of persistence, its gorgeous orange tones came alive on camera!