American Owlfly vs Mexican Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Owlfly | Mexican Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ululodes quadripunctatus | Vella americana |
| Order | Neuroptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Ascalaphidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 20-30 mm body, 50-65 mm wingspan | 65-85 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Meadows | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Southwestern United States, Mexico |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Its eyes are divided into upper and lower halves, allowing it to see both above and below simultaneously.
Mexican Antlion
A robust antlion found across the southern United States and Mexico. Recognized by its large size and boldly marked forewings.
Did You Know?
Adults are surprisingly strong fliers for antlions and actively hunt small moths at dusk.