Common Spongillafly vs Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Spongillafly | Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sisyra fuscata | Microplitis demolitor |
| Order | Neuroptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Sisyridae | Braconidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm wingspan | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | North America, South America, Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid
A small endoparasitoid wasp that injects polydnavirus along with its eggs into caterpillar hosts. It is an important natural enemy of soybean looper and corn earworm.
Did You Know?
It injects a symbiotic virus along with its eggs that suppresses the caterpillar's immune system.