Common Brown Lacewing vs Dune Spoonwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Brown Lacewing Dune Spoonwing
Scientific Name Hemerobius humulinus Halter halteratus
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Hemerobiidae Nemopteridae
Size 6-10 mm 20-28 mm wingspan (forewings)
Habitat Woodlands Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Europe, Asia Mediterranean Basin, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Brown Lacewing

A small brownish lacewing with mottled wings commonly found on deciduous trees. Adults and larvae both feed on aphids and other small insects.

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Did You Know?

Unlike green lacewings, brown lacewing adults are also predatory and actively hunt small insects.

Dune Spoonwing

A small nemopterid with spoon-tipped hindwings found in coastal Mediterranean habitats. Commonly seen fluttering over sandy ground near the sea.

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Did You Know?

The species name 'halteratus' refers to the haltere-like form of its modified hindwings.