Arctic Crane Fly vs High-altitude Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Crane Fly | High-altitude Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula arctica | Platycheirus alpinus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 6-9 mm body length |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Meadows |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada | Northern Europe, Alps, Arctic |
| 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.
High-altitude Hover Fly
A small hover fly with flattened front legs, found in alpine and arctic habitats. It is an important pollinator of mountain wildflowers.
Did You Know?
Its flattened front tarsi are thought to help scrape pollen from flowers.