Giant Crane Fly vs Old World Screwworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Giant Crane Fly	Old World Screwworm
Scientific Name	Tipula maxima	Chrysomya bezziana
Order	Diptera	Diptera
Family	Tipulidae	Calliphoridae
Size	30-40 mm body length, wingspan up to 65 mm	8-11 mm
Habitat	Rivers & Streams	Forests
Diet	Detritivores	Parasites
Regions	Europe	Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia
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.

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With a wingspan approaching 65 mm, it is often mistaken for a giant mosquito but is entirely harmless.

An obligate wound parasite of mammals found across Africa and Asia. Larvae invade wounds and feed on living tissue causing severe myiasis.

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Unlike the New World screwworm, no sterile insect program has yet successfully eradicated this species.