Black Blow Fly vs Subarctic Crane Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Blow Fly Subarctic Crane Fly
Scientific Name Phormia regina Prionocera turcica
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Calliphoridae Tipulidae
Size 9-13 mm 12-18 mm body length
Habitat Farmland Wetlands
Diet Carrion Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America, Europe Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black Blow Fly

A dark metallic blow fly that is among the first insects to colonize a corpse. It is a key species in forensic entomology across North America.

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Did You Know?

It can detect a dead body from over a mile away using chemoreceptors on its antennae.

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.