Phantom Crane Fly vs Reindeer Warble Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Phantom Crane Fly | Reindeer Warble Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bittacomorpha clavipes | Hypoderma tarandi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ptychopteridae | Oestridae |
| Size | 10-15 mm body | 13-17 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska |
| 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.
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.