Aquatic Crane Fly vs Frit Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Aquatic Crane Fly Frit Fly
Scientific Name Antocha saxicola Oscinella frit
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Limoniidae Chloropidae
Size 5-8 mm 1.5-2 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions North America Europe, temperate worldwide
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Aquatic Crane Fly

A small crane fly whose larvae build silken cases on submerged rocks in fast-flowing streams. Larvae are true aquatic inhabitants rather than semi-terrestrial.

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Did You Know?

Larvae are among the few crane flies that are fully aquatic throughout development, never leaving the water.

Frit Fly

A tiny fly that is a major pest of oat crops and ryegrass. Larvae bore into plant stems causing 'dead heart'. Named from the Swedish word for grain. Multiple generations per year.

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Did You Know?

Despite being only 1.5mm long, it can destroy entire crops of oats by killing the growing shoot inside each stem.