Giant Lacewing vs Moss Grasshopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Lacewing | Moss Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polystoechotes punctata | Batrachideinae sp. (Coscineuta coxalis) |
| Order | Neuroptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Ithonidae | Tetrigidae |
| Size | 40-75 mm wingspan | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Central America, 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.
Moss Grasshopper
A tiny pygmy grasshopper with an elongated pronotum covered in moss-like textures. It is practically invisible on moss-covered rocks and logs.
Did You Know?
Its pronotum extends far beyond its abdomen and is textured to precisely mimic the moss it feeds on.