Snow Crane Fly vs Washburn's Rock Crawler
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snow Crane Fly | Washburn's Rock Crawler |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chionea valga | Grylloblatta washingtonensis |
| Order | Diptera | Grylloblattodea |
| Family | Limoniidae | Grylloblattidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm body length | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Caves |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | Pacific Northwest, United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
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.
Washburn's Rock Crawler
A pale, eyeless ice crawler found in the Cascade Range. It forages at night on snow surfaces in near-freezing temperatures.
Did You Know?
Their eggs can take up to five years to hatch in the cold conditions where they live.