Aquatic Crane Fly vs Green Bottle Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Aquatic Crane Fly Green Bottle Fly
Scientific Name Antocha saxicola Lucilia sericata
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Limoniidae Calliphoridae
Size 5-8 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Omnivores Carrion Feeders
Regions North America Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, Oceania
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.

Green Bottle Fly

A brilliant metallic green fly with large red compound eyes. Medically, its sterile larvae are used in maggot debridement therapy to clean necrotic wounds.

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Did You Know?

Medical-grade maggots of this species are approved by the FDA for wound treatment, as they eat only dead tissue and secrete natural antibiotics.