Seaweed Fly vs Winter Crane Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Seaweed Fly | Winter Crane Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coelopa frigida | Trichocera annulata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Coelopidae | Trichoceridae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 5-10 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Woodlands |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Seaweed Fly
A coastal fly whose larvae develop in rotting seaweed wrack on beaches. It forms massive swarms on strandlines that can annoy beachgoers.
Did You Know?
It is a model organism for studying sexual selection because larger males win more mating contests.
Winter Crane Fly
A cold-adapted crane fly that forms mating swarms in winter even in freezing weather.
Did You Know?
It can be seen dancing in aerial swarms on sunny winter days near buildings.