Common Crane Fly vs Thick-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Crane Fly | Thick-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula oleracea | Physocephala rufipes |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Conopidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Throughout North America, originally from Europe | Europe |
| 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.
Thick-headed Fly
A wasp-mimicking fly that parasitizes bumblebees by injecting eggs into them mid-flight.
Did You Know?
Infected bumblebees bury themselves in soil where the fly larva pupates.