Tundra Blow Fly vs Spotted Crane Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tundra Blow Fly | Spotted Crane Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Protophormia terraenovae | Nephrotoma appendiculata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Tipulidae |
| Size | 7-11 mm | 15-25 mm body length |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Meadows |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Scavengers |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
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.