European Hangingfly vs Great Mullein Weevil
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Hangingfly | Great Mullein Weevil |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bittacus italicus | Cionus thapsus |
| Order | Mecoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Bittacidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 18-25 mm | 3-4.5 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
European Hangingfly
A delicate predatory insect with long legs that hangs from grass stems and snatches prey with its prehensile hind tarsi. Found in Mediterranean grasslands.
Did You Know?
The prehensile hind tarsi of hangingflies can close like a jackknife, trapping prey in a fraction of a second.
Great Mullein Weevil
A small rounded weevil found exclusively on great mullein plants. Similar to the figwort weevil but associated with different host plants. Larvae are external feeders in mucous cocoons.
Did You Know?
Each larva lives inside its own slimy mucous cocoon attached to the mullein leaf surface.