Clover Root Weevil vs Common Crane Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Clover Root Weevil | Common Crane Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sitona obsoletus | Tipula oleracea |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Curculionidae | Tipulidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 15-25 mm body length |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, New Zealand (invasive) | Throughout North America, originally from Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Clover Root Weevil
A small, grey-brown weevil that feeds on clover roots and nitrogen-fixing nodules. It became a major invasive pest in New Zealand pastures.
Did You Know?
By destroying nitrogen-fixing root nodules, it reduces pasture fertility, costing New Zealand agriculture hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Common Crane Fly
A large gray-brown crane fly with extremely long fragile legs that often enters homes in autumn. Its larvae, called leatherjackets, are common turf pests.
Did You Know?
Despite being frequently mistaken for giant mosquitoes, crane flies cannot bite and most adults never eat at all.