Snow Crane Fly vs Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snow Crane Fly | Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chionea valga | Odontomyia tigrina |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Limoniidae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm body length | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Snow Crane Fly
A wingless crane fly adapted to cold environments, found walking on snow surfaces in winter. It resembles a long-legged spider and is active only at or below freezing temperatures.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few insects active in midwinter, crawling across snow to find mates when most other insects are dormant.
Soldier Fly
A brightly colored soldier fly with aquatic larvae that filter-feed in ponds.
Did You Know?
Larvae float at the surface and breathe through a rosette of hydrophobic tail hairs.