Common Brown Lacewing vs Hoary Edge Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Brown Lacewing Hoary Edge Skipper
Scientific Name Hemerobius humulinus Achalarus lyciades
Order Neuroptera Lepidoptera
Family Hemerobiidae Hesperiidae
Size 6-10 mm 37-47 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia Eastern United States
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.

💡

Did You Know?

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

Hoary Edge Skipper

A dark brown spread-wing skipper with a frosted white patch along the outer margin of the hindwing underside. Its fast darting flight makes it difficult to follow.

💡

Did You Know?

The name 'hoary edge' refers to the silvery-white frosted margin that distinguishes it from similar dark skippers.