Arctic Crane Fly vs European Cherry Fruit Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Crane Fly | European Cherry Fruit Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula arctica | Rhagoletis cerasi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Tephritidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Orchards |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Crane Fly
A large, long-legged fly with narrow wings and a slender body. Its legs break off easily when seized by predators. Larvae are leathery-skinned grubs living in wet tundra soil where they feed on roots.
Did You Know?
Despite their mosquito-like appearance, crane flies are completely harmless and cannot bite.
European Cherry Fruit Fly
A small black fly with distinctive wing banding that infests sweet and sour cherries. Larvae feed inside cherries, causing them to rot and drop.
Did You Know?
It is a textbook example of sympatric speciation, with host races on sweet and sour cherries.