Large Brown Lacewing vs Mantidfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Brown Lacewing | Mantidfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Drepanepteryx phalaenoides | Mantispa styriaca |
| Order | Neuroptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Hemerobiidae | Mantispidae |
| Size | 18-28 mm wingspan | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large Brown Lacewing
The largest European brown lacewing with distinctively hooked wing tips. Resembles a dead leaf when at rest on branches.
Did You Know?
Its hooked wing tips and brown mottling make it one of the best leaf mimics among lacewings.
Mantidfly
A remarkable insect with raptorial forelegs strikingly similar to a praying mantis, a textbook example of convergent evolution. Adults ambush small insects from vegetation.
Did You Know?
Mantidfly larvae are parasitoids that enter spider egg sacs and feed on the eggs before pupating inside.