Giant Lacewing vs Brazilian Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Lacewing | Brazilian Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polystoechotes punctata | Myrmeleon brasiliensis |
| Order | Neuroptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Ithonidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 40-75 mm wingspan | 50-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Brazil, South America |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Giant Lacewing
Once widespread across North America, it vanished from the eastern US by the 1950s. A single specimen was rediscovered in Walmart parking lot in Arkansas in 2012 after 50 years.
Did You Know?
This giant lacewing was thought extinct in eastern North America for 50 years — until a single specimen was collected at a Walmart parking lot in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2012.
Brazilian Antlion
A common South American antlion found in sandy cerrado and caatinga habitats. Its larval pit traps dot the sandy floors of sheltered spots.
Did You Know?
In the Brazilian cerrado, antlion pits are so abundant they have been used to estimate soil disturbance levels.