Common Crane Fly vs Slender Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Crane Fly | Slender Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula oleracea | Leptogaster cylindrica |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Meadows |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Throughout North America, originally from Europe | Europe, Western Asia |
| 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.
Slender Robber Fly
A delicate, narrow-bodied robber fly with an extremely slender abdomen. It hunts small insects among tall grass stems.
Did You Know?
Its thread-like abdomen makes it almost invisible when resting on grass stems.