Chinese Antlion vs Giant Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chinese Antlion Giant Lacewing
Scientific Name Euroleon sinicus Polystoechotes punctata
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Myrmeleontidae Ithonidae
Size 50-65 mm wingspan 40-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions China, Mongolia, Central Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Chinese Antlion

An East Asian antlion found in sandy habitats across China and neighboring countries. Its larvae construct pit traps in sheltered sandy areas.

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Did You Know?

It is widely distributed across the vast loess plateau region of northern China.

Giant Lacewing

Once widespread across North America, it vanished from the eastern US by the 1950s. A single specimen was rediscovered in Walmart parking lot in Arkansas in 2012 after 50 years.

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Did You Know?

This giant lacewing was thought extinct in eastern North America for 50 years — until a single specimen was collected at a Walmart parking lot in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2012.