Neotropical Army Ant Guest vs Common Brown Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Army Ant Guest Common Brown Lacewing
Scientific Name Ecitomorpha nevermanni Hemerobius humulinus
Order Coleoptera Neuroptera
Family Staphylinidae Hemerobiidae
Size 4-5 mm 6-10 mm
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Central America, Northern South America Europe, Asia
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Neotropical Army Ant Guest

A remarkable myrmecophilous rove beetle that lives with Eciton army ants in Central America. Its body closely mimics the shape and size of its ant hosts.

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Did You Know?

It runs in the army ant raiding columns alongside thousands of ants without being detected as an intruder.

Common Brown Lacewing

A small brownish lacewing with mottled wings commonly found on deciduous trees. Adults and larvae both feed on aphids and other small insects.

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Did You Know?

Unlike green lacewings, brown lacewing adults are also predatory and actively hunt small insects.