Big-headed Fly vs Subarctic Crane Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Big-headed Fly Subarctic Crane Fly
Scientific Name Pipunculus campestris Prionocera turcica
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Pipunculidae Tipulidae
Size 3-6 mm 12-18 mm body length
Habitat Farmland Wetlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Big-headed Fly

A small fly with an enormously enlarged, almost entirely eye-covered spherical head. It hovers in vegetation searching for leafhopper hosts in which to parasitize.

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Did You Know?

Its enormous eyes give it near-360-degree vision, allowing it to spot leafhoppers from any angle while hovering.

Subarctic Crane Fly

A medium-sized crane fly with distinctive patterned wings and long, slender legs. Larvae develop in wet peatland soils. Adults are poor fliers and often rest on low vegetation in sheltered spots.

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Did You Know?

The larvae of this crane fly can survive in waterlogged, low-oxygen peat soil by breathing through specialized anal papillae.