American Owlfly vs Mantis Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute American Owlfly Mantis Lacewing
Scientific Name Ululodes quadripunctatus Mantispa perla
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Ascalaphidae Mantispidae
Size 20-30 mm body, 50-65 mm wingspan 15-20mm
Habitat Meadows Heathland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

American Owlfly

A dragonfly-like neuropteran with split eyes and long knobbed antennae. It catches small insects on the wing during twilight flights.

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Did You Know?

Its eyes are divided into upper and lower halves, allowing it to see both above and below simultaneously.

Mantis Lacewing

A delicate insect with mantis-like raptorial forelegs and lace-like wings. An ambush predator of small insects.

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Did You Know?

Larvae enter spider egg sacs and consume all the eggs, emerging as adults from the silk cocoon.