Spotted Crane Fly vs Sweat Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spotted Crane Fly | Sweat Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nephrotoma appendiculata | Hydrotaea irritans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Farmland |
| Diet | Scavengers | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Spotted Crane Fly
A brightly marked yellow-and-black crane fly common across European meadows. Its leatherjacket larvae develop in soil, feeding on plant roots and decaying matter.
Did You Know?
Despite their wasp-like yellow-and-black markings, spotted crane flies are completely harmless and cannot sting.
Sweat Fly
A small dark fly attracted to perspiration on humans and livestock. It forms dense head-circling swarms in summer that can be extremely annoying.
Did You Know?
Swarms of these flies can reduce cattle weight gain by causing constant head-tossing behavior.