African Mantidfly vs Dalmatian Spongillafly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Mantidfly Dalmatian Spongillafly
Scientific Name Sagittalata olivacea Sisyra dalii
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Mantispidae Sisyridae
Size 18-26 mm wingspan 6-8 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Parasitoids Omnivores
Regions Southern Africa, East Africa Eastern Mediterranean, Balkans
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

African Mantidfly

A greenish African mantidfly found in woodland and bushveld habitats. Like all mantidflies, it has distinctive raptorial front legs.

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Did You Know?

Larvae ride on female spiders phoretically, waiting for them to lay eggs before entering the egg sac.

Dalmatian Spongillafly

A rare spongillafly described from the eastern Mediterranean region. Associated with clean freshwater habitats harboring sponge populations.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the rarest European spongillaflies, known from only a handful of collection sites.