Hagen's Dustywing vs Common Spongillafly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hagen's Dustywing Common Spongillafly
Scientific Name Coniopteryx hageniana Sisyra fuscata
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Coniopterygidae Sisyridae
Size 3-4 mm wingspan 6-10 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Parasitoids
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Hagen's Dustywing

A minute dustywing found across Europe and known for its effectiveness against orchard mites. Easily overlooked due to its tiny size.

💡

Did You Know?

Despite being barely visible to the naked eye, it can consume dozens of mites per day.

Common Spongillafly

A small dark lacewing whose larvae are aquatic parasitoids of freshwater sponges. One of the few neuropterans with aquatic larval stages.

💡

Did You Know?

Its larvae breathe underwater using specialized pointed mouthparts that also pierce sponge cells for feeding.