Common Crane Fly vs Petroleum Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Crane Fly | Petroleum Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula oleracea | Helaeomyia petrolei |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Ephydridae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Throughout North America, originally from Europe | North America |
| 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.
Petroleum Fly
The only insect whose larvae develop in crude petroleum. Found in natural oil seeps in California, including the La Brea Tar Pits. Larvae eat insects trapped in the oil.
Did You Know?
This is the only animal on Earth that develops in crude oil — a substance toxic to virtually all other life. Its larvae swim through petroleum and breathe through snorkel-like tubes.