Phantom Crane Fly vs Gershner's Jumping Bristletail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Phantom Crane Fly | Gershner's Jumping Bristletail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bittacomorpha clavipes | Pedetontus gershneri |
| Order | Diptera | Archaeognatha |
| Family | Ptychopteridae | Machilidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm body | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Phantom Crane Fly
A delicate fly with swollen black and white banded tarsi that acts as a tiny parachute, allowing it to float effortlessly on air currents.
Did You Know?
The inflated tarsal segments are hollow and serve as aerodynamic balloons, allowing the fly to drift on the slightest breeze.
Gershner's Jumping Bristletail
A North American jumping bristletail found in leaf litter and under bark. It has a distinctly humped thorax and long tail filaments.
Did You Know?
Like all Archaeognatha, it molts throughout its entire adult life.