Dustywing vs Comstock's Green Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dustywing Comstock's Green Lacewing
Scientific Name Coniopteryx tineiformis Chrysopa comanche
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Coniopterygidae Chrysopidae
Size 3-5 mm 14-20 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Deserts & Drylands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Asia Southwestern United States, Northern Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dustywing

A tiny moth-like lacewing covered in a white waxy powder that gives it a dusty appearance. It is an important predator of mites and scale insects on trees.

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Did You Know?

Dustywings are the smallest of all neuropterans and are often overlooked because they resemble tiny moths.

Comstock's Green Lacewing

A medium-sized green lacewing native to the American Southwest. Frequently found in arid scrubland and desert-edge habitats.

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Did You Know?

It thrives in hot, dry conditions that would stress most other lacewing species.