Malagasy Ant Lion vs Reuterella Barklouse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Ant Lion Reuterella Barklouse
Scientific Name Palpares lenticularis Reuterella helvimacula
Order Neuroptera Psocoptera
Family Myrmeleontidae Elipsocidae
Size 60-80 mm wingspan 2.0-3.5 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Madagascar Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Malagasy Ant Lion

A large neuropteran with broad, spotted wings that resemble those of a dragonfly. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights, while larvae dig conical pit traps in sandy soil.

💡

Did You Know?

Larvae sit buried at the bottom of their funnel-shaped sand traps and flick sand grains at prey to prevent escape.

Reuterella Barklouse

A small barklouse with distinctive pale spots on dark wings found on tree bark. It is common in mixed forests throughout Europe.

💡

Did You Know?

This barklouse is one of the few European psocid species that can be identified in the field by its wing pattern alone.