Australian Spoonwing vs Pleasing Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Spoonwing Pleasing Lacewing
Scientific Name Chasmoptera hutti Nallachius americanus
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Nemopteridae Dilaridae
Size 25-35 mm wingspan (forewings) 8-12 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Woodlands
Diet Predators Wood Feeders
Regions Southern Australia North America
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Australian Spoonwing

One of the few Australian nemopterids, with distinctive elongated hindwings. Found in arid and semi-arid regions of southern Australia.

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Did You Know?

It is the only nemopterid genus found in Australia, making it biogeographically significant.

Pleasing Lacewing

A small and uncommon lacewing with feathery antennae in males. Larvae develop under bark feeding on wood-boring insect larvae.

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Did You Know?

Male pleasing lacewings have elaborate feathered antennae used to detect female pheromones over long distances.