Long-horned Antlion vs Palpares Antlion

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-horned Antlion Palpares Antlion
Scientific Name Distoleon tetragrammicus Palpares immensus
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Myrmeleontidae Myrmeleontidae
Size 30-40 mm body, 60-75 mm wingspan 100-140 mm wingspan
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Deserts & Drylands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, North Africa Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Long-horned Antlion

A large antlion with intricately patterned wings and long clubbed antennae. Unlike most antlions, the larvae do not build pit traps.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae hide just beneath the sand surface and lunge at passing prey rather than using pit traps.

Palpares Antlion

An enormous antlion from sub-Saharan Africa with strikingly patterned wings. Among the largest flying neuropterans on the continent.

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Did You Know?

Its wingspan can reach 14 cm, rivaling some small dragonflies in size.