Italian Snakefly vs Common Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Italian Snakefly Common Snakefly
Scientific Name Subilla confinis Raphidia notata
Order Raphidioptera Raphidioptera
Family Raphidiidae Raphidiidae
Size 10-14 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Woodlands Orchards
Diet Wood Feeders Predators
Regions Southern Europe, Mediterranean region Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Italian Snakefly

A Mediterranean snakefly found in warm woodlands of southern Europe. It is associated with pine and oak forests where larvae develop under loose bark.

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Did You Know?

Mediterranean snakeflies are adapted to warmer climates than most of their relatives and can tolerate drier conditions.

Common Snakefly

A distinctive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax that gives it a snake-like appearance. It hunts aphids and other small insects on tree bark.

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Did You Know?

Snakeflies can raise their elongated thorax and strike at prey in a manner reminiscent of a snake, hence their name.