Giant Lacewing vs Rainbow Leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Lacewing | Rainbow Leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polystoechotes punctata | Chrysolina fastuosa |
| Order | Neuroptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Ithonidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 40-75 mm wingspan | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| 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.
Rainbow Leaf Beetle
A metallic multicolored beetle with iridescent green, blue, and purple stripes.
Did You Know?
Its rainbow coloration is produced by thin-film interference in its cuticle.