Common Crane Fly vs Frosted Pine Aphid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Crane Fly | Frosted Pine Aphid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula oleracea | Cinara pilicornis |
| Order | Diptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Aphididae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Throughout North America, originally from Europe | Europe, introduced to other temperate regions |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Frosted Pine Aphid
A large brown aphid covered in waxy powder that forms colonies on spruce twigs. It produces copious honeydew that supports sooty mold growth on needles.
Did You Know?
Beekeepers value it because its honeydew production enables bees to make prized forest honey.