Common Snakefly vs Turanian Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Snakefly Turanian Snakefly
Scientific Name Raphidia notata Turcoraphidia amara
Order Raphidioptera Raphidioptera
Family Raphidiidae Raphidiidae
Size 15-20 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Orchards Woodlands
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Europe Central Asia, Turkey, Iran
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Common Snakefly

A distinctive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax that gives it a snake-like appearance. It hunts aphids and other small insects on tree bark.

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Did You Know?

Snakeflies can raise their elongated thorax and strike at prey in a manner reminiscent of a snake, hence their name.

Turanian Snakefly

A snakefly native to Central Asia and the Middle East, inhabiting arid mountainous woodlands. It is one of the few raphidiopterans adapted to semi-arid environments.

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Did You Know?

Turanian snakeflies thrive in some of the driest habitats occupied by any raphidiopteran species.