Common Spongillafly vs Dune Spoonwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Spongillafly | Dune Spoonwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sisyra fuscata | Halter halteratus |
| Order | Neuroptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Sisyridae | Nemopteridae |
| Size | 6-10 mm wingspan | 20-28 mm wingspan (forewings) |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Mediterranean Basin, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Spongillafly
A small dark lacewing whose larvae are aquatic parasitoids of freshwater sponges. One of the few neuropterans with aquatic larval stages.
Did You Know?
Its larvae breathe underwater using specialized pointed mouthparts that also pierce sponge cells for feeding.
Dune Spoonwing
A small nemopterid with spoon-tipped hindwings found in coastal Mediterranean habitats. Commonly seen fluttering over sandy ground near the sea.
Did You Know?
The species name 'halteratus' refers to the haltere-like form of its modified hindwings.