Common Crane Fly vs Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Crane Fly | Silver-spotted Ghost Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula oleracea | Sthenopis argenteomaculatus |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Hepialidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 60-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Throughout North America, originally from Europe | Eastern 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.
Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
A large ghost moth from North America with silver-spotted wings. Caterpillars bore into the roots of alder trees, taking two years to develop. Adults emerge for brief nocturnal mating flights.
Did You Know?
Larvae spend up to two years boring through alder tree roots in waterlogged soil before pupating.