African Mantidfly vs Thread-Winged Lacewing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Mantidfly | Thread-Winged Lacewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sagittalata olivacea | Nemoptera sinuata |
| Order | Neuroptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Mantispidae | Nemopteridae |
| Size | 18-26 mm wingspan | 25-30 mm body; 40 mm hindwing streamers |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Africa, East Africa | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Mantidfly
A greenish African mantidfly found in woodland and bushveld habitats. Like all mantidflies, it has distinctive raptorial front legs.
Did You Know?
Larvae ride on female spiders phoretically, waiting for them to lay eggs before entering the egg sac.
Thread-Winged Lacewing
An unmistakable insect with elongated, ribbon-like hindwings that trail behind in flight. Found in dry Mediterranean habitats where it feeds on pollen.
Did You Know?
The extraordinary ribbon-like hindwings are thought to confuse predators by creating a misleading silhouette in flight.