Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly vs Arctic Crane Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly | Arctic Crane Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Wohlfahrtia vigil | Tipula arctica |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Sarcophagidae | Tipulidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 15-25 mm body length |
| Habitat | Farmland | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasites | Predators |
| Regions | North America, especially northern United States and Canada | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly
A large flesh fly found in North America that causes obligate dermal myiasis in small animals including rabbits, mink, and fox kits on fur farms. Females deposit active larvae on the unbroken skin of young animals, and larvae burrow into subcutaneous tissue. Human cases are rare but documented in infants.
Did You Know?
It preferentially attacks the young of furbearing animals, causing significant losses on mink and fox fur farms in North America.
Arctic Crane Fly
A large, long-legged fly with narrow wings and a slender body. Its legs break off easily when seized by predators. Larvae are leathery-skinned grubs living in wet tundra soil where they feed on roots.
Did You Know?
Despite their mosquito-like appearance, crane flies are completely harmless and cannot bite.