Winter Crane Fly vs Two-spotted Case-bearer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Winter Crane Fly Two-spotted Case-bearer
Scientific Name Trichocera annulata Cryptocephalus bipunctatus
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Trichoceridae Chrysomelidae
Size 5-10 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Detritivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Winter Crane Fly

A cold-adapted crane fly that forms mating swarms in winter even in freezing weather.

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Did You Know?

It can be seen dancing in aerial swarms on sunny winter days near buildings.

Two-spotted Case-bearer

A cylindrical beetle with red to orange elytra each bearing a single black spot, and a dark head and pronotum. It feeds on the leaves of various deciduous trees.

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Did You Know?

The female coats each egg with fecal material before dropping it to the ground, where the larva uses this casing as the foundation for its protective case.