Pedician Crane Fly vs American Rubyspot

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pedician Crane Fly American Rubyspot
Scientific Name Pedicia rivosa Hetaerina americana
Order Diptera Odonata
Family Pediciidae Calopterygidae
Size 18-25 mm body length 40-50 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Northern Asia North America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pedician Crane Fly

A large, mottled-winged crane fly whose predatory larvae hunt invertebrates in wet mud and stream margins. Adults are often found resting on vegetation near flowing water.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most crane fly larvae that eat decaying matter, its larvae are voracious predators that ambush worms and insect larvae in mud.

American Rubyspot

A graceful damselfly with brilliant ruby-red patches at the base of the wings in males. Its metallic red-bronze body gleams in sunlight along stream banks.

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Did You Know?

Males aggressively defend stream territories, clashing with rivals by displaying their ruby wing patches.