Arctic Crane Fly vs River Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Crane Fly | River Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula arctica | Rheotanytarsus exiguus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada | Europe |
| 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.
River Midge
A small filter-feeding midge that builds silken nets on submerged stones in flowing water. Larvae are among the most abundant invertebrates in clean streams.
Did You Know?
Larvae build tiny fan-shaped silk nets that function like miniature versions of caddisfly catch-nets.