Japanese Snakefly vs Western Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Snakefly Western Snakefly
Scientific Name Inocellia japonica Agulla adnixa
Order Raphidioptera Raphidioptera
Family Inocelliidae Raphidiidae
Size 12-18 mm 12-16 mm
Habitat Mountains Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Predators
Regions East Asia, Japan Western North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Snakefly

An East Asian snakefly with the characteristic elongated neck-like prothorax. It is one of the few snakefly species found in the Far East, near the order's eastern range limit.

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Did You Know?

Raphidioptera are completely absent from the Southern Hemisphere, an unusual distribution pattern among insect orders.

Western Snakefly

A North American snakefly found in western forests and woodlands. Larvae develop under bark of conifers where they hunt bark beetle larvae.

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Did You Know?

Western snakeflies require a cold winter period to complete development, which is why they are absent from tropical regions.