Subarctic Crane Fly vs Tundra Blow Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Subarctic Crane Fly | Tundra Blow Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Prionocera turcica | Protophormia terraenovae |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 12-18 mm body length | 7-11 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Herbivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Subarctic Crane Fly
A medium-sized crane fly with distinctive patterned wings and long, slender legs. Larvae develop in wet peatland soils. Adults are poor fliers and often rest on low vegetation in sheltered spots.
Did You Know?
The larvae of this crane fly can survive in waterlogged, low-oxygen peat soil by breathing through specialized anal papillae.
Tundra Blow Fly
A metallic dark blue blow fly common across Arctic and subarctic regions. It is one of the first flies to become active in spring. Adults are attracted to carrion and can detect dead animals from great distances.
Did You Know?
This fly is so cold-tolerant that it is used in forensic entomology to determine time of death in cold climates where other blow flies cannot survive.