Arctic Crane Fly vs South African Dobsonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arctic Crane Fly South African Dobsonfly
Scientific Name Tipula arctica Taeniochauliodes ochraceus
Order Diptera Megaloptera
Family Tipulidae Corydalidae
Size 15-25 mm body length 25-40 mm body
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada Africa
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.

South African Dobsonfly

A large dobsonfly from southern African rivers with broad amber-tinged wings.

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Did You Know?

Its hellgrammite larvae are important predators in South African freshwater ecosystems.