Arctic Crane Fly vs Mountain Net-Winged Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arctic Crane Fly Mountain Net-Winged Midge
Scientific Name Tipula arctica Blepharicera capitata
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tipulidae Blephariceridae
Size 15-25 mm body length 7-11 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Mountains
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada North America
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.

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Did You Know?

Despite their mosquito-like appearance, crane flies are completely harmless and cannot bite.

Mountain Net-Winged Midge

A large net-winged midge of Appalachian mountain streams. Larvae require extremely clean, well-oxygenated water flowing over smooth bedrock.

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Did You Know?

Females of some Blepharicera species are predatory on other small flies, catching them with their raptorial mouthparts.