Giant Crane Fly vs Maritime Long-legged Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Crane Fly | Maritime Long-legged Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula maxima | Aphrosylus praedator |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Dolichopodidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm body length, wingspan up to 65 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Detritivores | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | North America, Pacific Coast |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Crane Fly
The largest European crane fly, with marbled wings spanning up to 65 mm. Larvae develop in wet leaf litter along stream banks and shaded ravines.
Did You Know?
With a wingspan approaching 65 mm, it is often mistaken for a giant mosquito but is entirely harmless.
Maritime Long-legged Fly
A specialized marine intertidal fly that hunts on wave-splashed rocks and barnacles. It has a metallic greenish body and uniquely adapted legs for gripping wet rocky surfaces.
Did You Know?
It can remain submerged by waves for short periods, surviving in an air bubble trapped by its body hairs.