Glossina Austeni Tsetse Fly vs Crane Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Glossina Austeni Tsetse Fly Crane Fly
Scientific Name Glossina austeni Tipula paludosa
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Glossinidae Tipulidae
Size 7-10 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Forests Gardens
Diet Blood Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Coastal East Africa, from Kenya to Mozambique Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Glossina Austeni Tsetse Fly

A small, dark-colored tsetse fly found in coastal forests and thickets of East Africa. It is a vector of both human and animal trypanosomiasis in coastal regions. It was successfully eradicated from the island of Unguja (Zanzibar) using the sterile insect technique in 1997.

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Did You Know?

Its eradication from Zanzibar using sterile males released from aircraft was the first successful elimination of a tsetse species from an island.

Crane Fly

Often mistaken for giant mosquitoes but completely harmless. Adults often do not feed at all. Larvae (leatherjackets) live in soil and can be lawn pests.

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Did You Know?

Despite looking terrifying, crane flies are completely harmless — they cannot bite or sting. Most adults live just a few days and many never eat at all.