Australian March Fly vs Snow Crane Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian March Fly | Snow Crane Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bibio imitator | Chionea valga |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bibionidae | Limoniidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 5-8 mm body length |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Caves |
| Diet | Herbivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Australia | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Australian March Fly
A robust black bibionid fly that appears in large numbers during the Australian autumn. It has a hairy body and is a sluggish flyer, often seen resting on vegetation.
Did You Know?
Despite sharing the common name with horse flies in Australia, march flies in the family Bibionidae are completely harmless.
Snow Crane Fly
A wingless crane fly adapted to cold environments, found walking on snow surfaces in winter. It resembles a long-legged spider and is active only at or below freezing temperatures.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few insects active in midwinter, crawling across snow to find mates when most other insects are dormant.