European Antlion vs Owlfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Antlion | Owlfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Euroleon nostras | Libelloides coccajus |
| Order | Neuroptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Myrmeleontidae | Ascalaphidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm wingspan | 25-30 mm body, 50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Meadows |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
European Antlion
A large neuropteran whose larvae build conical sand pits to trap ants and other small insects. Adults resemble damselflies but are weaker fliers.
Did You Know?
Antlion larvae can survive for months without food while waiting at the bottom of their sand traps.
Owlfly
Dragonfly-like neuropterans with large eyes and clubbed antennae. Fast aerial predators that catch prey in flight. Often found in Mediterranean meadows at dusk.
Did You Know?
Owlflies look like a hybrid between a dragonfly and a butterfly — they have large dragonfly-like eyes with striking clubbed antennae found nowhere else in the insect world.