Hagen's Web Spinner vs Australian Scorpionfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hagen's Web Spinner Australian Scorpionfly
Scientific Name Oligotoma humbertiana Harpobittacus australis
Order Embioptera Mecoptera
Family Oligotomidae Bittacidae
Size 8.0-11.0 mm 18-22 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Asia Oceania
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Hagen's Web Spinner

A common web spinner of South and Southeast Asia found under bark and in soil crevices. It reproduces by parthenogenesis in many populations.

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Did You Know?

Many populations consist entirely of females that reproduce without mating, with males being extremely rare or absent.

Australian Scorpionfly

An Australian hangingfly that suspends itself from vegetation and catches prey with its raptorial hind legs. Males present captured prey to females as nuptial gifts.

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Did You Know?

Female Australian scorpionflies assess nuptial gifts by tasting the prey — if it is nutritionally poor, they reject the male and fly away.