[ad_1]
Cranes fly and mosquitoes are often confused with one another – not helped by the fact that crane flies are sometimes referred to as “mosquito hawks”. Not to mention that they look quite similar at first glance and are both found in similar habitats. However, the truth is that they are actually two completely different types.
So, what exactly makes these two? insects part? Well, one is much bigger than the other, and has much longer legs, and one has two pairs of wings instead of one. But perhaps the most important difference is that one is completely harmless, while the other can transmit deadly diseases. Join us as we discover all the differences between the two.
Comparison of Mosquito vs Crane Fly
Crane flies and mosquitoes both fly insects who have long legs. They are also both often found in the same habitat – in warm and wet locations – laying their eggs near water. However, despite these similarities, they are quite different when we take a closer look and there are a few key differences that make it very easy to see which is which.
Check out the chart below to learn some of the key differences.
| Mosquito | crane fly | |
| Size and shape | Between 0.15 and 0.4 inches long. Have a curved thorax and abdomen. Having a needle-like mouth to suck blood | About 1.5 cm long. Straight bodies. Females have an ovipositor on their abdomen to lay eggs |
| Legs | Tall and slim | About twice the length of their bodies (much longer than mosquitoes) |
| wings | Two pairs – one for flying, the second pair is much smaller. Wingspan around 0.94 inch | A few. Wingspan usually between 0.5 and 2.5 inches |
| Antenna | Hairy | not hairy |
| eating pattern | Both males and females feed on nectar and other plant juices, but females also feed on human and animal blood | Do not eat at all in the adult stage. Larvae feed on flowers, grass roots, algae etc. |
| Threat | Females feed on blood and can transmit harmful diseases such as malaria | Completely harmless to humans – do not bite or sting |
| Time most active | Dusk – most active at dawn and dusk | Nocturnal but attracted to light |
| Lifespan | Males 6 to 7 days, females on average 6 weeks, but up to 5 months is possible | 10 to 15 days |
The 6 main differences between crane flies and mosquitoes
Crane Fly vs Mosquito: Size and Shape
One of the most notable differences between crane flies and mosquitoes is the size difference. Crane flies are much larger than mosquitoes. They have long, straight bodies that measure about 1.5 inches in length. Females also have an ovipositor on the bottom of their abdomen that they use to lay eggs on the ground. Mosquitoes are only between 0.15 and 0.4 inches in length and have a curved chest and abdomen giving them a curved appearance. They also have a needle-like mouth known as a proboscis, which is used to aspirate blood.
Crane Fly vs Mosquito: Legs
Although mosquitoes themselves have quite long legs, they are nowhere near the incredible length of a crane fly. Crane flies have legs that are about twice as long as their bodies. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are also known as “daddy long-legged”.
Crane Fly vs Mosquito: Wings
Another big difference is their wings. Crane flies have one pair of wings and their wingspan is usually between 0.5 and 2.5 inches, although some can sometimes reach 4.5 inches. Mosquitoes have two pairs of wings: one for flying and a much smaller pair. The smaller pair are known as “dumbbells”. Their entire wingspan is only about 0.94 inches.
Crane Fly vs Mosquito: Diet
Adult cranes do not eat at all, but larvae feed on plants, crops, seedlings, grass roots and algae. Both male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar and other plant juices. The big difference, however, is that female mosquitoes feed on both human and animal blood.
Crane Fly vs Mosquito: Threat
One of the biggest differences between crane flies and mosquitoes is how dangerous they are. As we mentioned, female mosquitoes feed on blood, which allows them to transmit harmful diseases such as malaria. Crane flies, on the other hand, are completely harmless. On the other hand, cranes very rarely eat during their adult stage and they do not bite or sting.
Crane Fly vs Mosquito: Time Most Active
Cranes are nocturnal, so they are most active at night, but are attracted to light. This is why when they are in a house they can usually be seen through the light bulb. Mosquitoes are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dusk – dawn and dusk. Mosquitoes tend to avoid direct sunlight as it can quickly dehydrate and kill them. That is why they can often be found in the shade during the day wetland areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are cranes and mosquitoes from the same family group?
No, crane flies come from the family group Tipulidae while mosquitoes are of the family Culicidae.
Why are crane flies sometimes called “mosquito hawks”?
Crane flies are sometimes called “mosquito hawks” because many people originally thought they hunted mosquitoes. However, this is not true, as cranes do not eat or harm any insects at all.
Do mosquitoes and cranes live in the same habitat?
Yes, mosquitoes and cranes share a similar habitat and both like to live in warm, humid areas near water. However, mosquitoes are found on every continent except Antarctica, while cranes can survive – and even thrive – in cold regions such as Antarctica, Alaska, and the arctic circle.
How many types of crane flies and mosquitoes are there?
There are about 5,000 species of crane flies and about 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world.
Are all mosquitoes dangerous?
No, as we said, it is only female mosquitoes that suck blood and thus transmit disease. Despite there being thousands of species of mosquitoes, only about 200
of
them are known to actually bite humans.
Are mosquitoes and cranes good fliers?
Mosquitoes are fast and agile fliers and can move and change direction quickly. Crane flies, however, are known for their “wobbly” appearance when flying. This is because their long bodies and long legs make flying quite difficult for them, and as a result they are quite slow and weak when flying.
[ad_2]
Source link