Arctic Thrips vs Arctic Crane Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Thrips | Arctic Crane Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aptinothrips rufus | Tipula arctica |
| Order | Thysanoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Thripidae | Tipulidae |
| Size | 0.5-1.5 mm | 15-25 mm body length |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Arctic and subarctic worldwide, Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, northern Canada | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Thrips
A tiny, wingless thrips that feeds on grasses in Arctic and subarctic habitats. Its brown body is barely visible without magnification. Populations reproduce parthenogenetically in the Arctic where males are absent.
Did You Know?
This thrips can reproduce without males through parthenogenesis, a useful adaptation in Arctic habitats where finding a mate would be difficult.
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.