Black Ichneumon Wasp vs Common Spongillafly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Ichneumon Wasp Common Spongillafly
Scientific Name Coelichneumon deliratorius Sisyra fuscata
Order Hymenoptera Neuroptera
Family Ichneumonidae Sisyridae
Size 18-25 mm 6-10 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Parasitoids Parasitoids
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black Ichneumon Wasp

A large, entirely black ichneumon wasp with a robust build. It is a solitary parasitoid of large moth pupae hidden in soil.

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Did You Know?

Its all-black coloration makes it one of the most imposing-looking ichneumon wasps in Europe.

Common Spongillafly

A small dark lacewing whose larvae are aquatic parasitoids of freshwater sponges. One of the few neuropterans with aquatic larval stages.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae breathe underwater using specialized pointed mouthparts that also pierce sponge cells for feeding.