Owlfly vs Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Owlfly | Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Libelloides coccajus | Bittacus strigosus |
| Order | Neuroptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Ascalaphidae | Bittacidae |
| Size | 25-30 mm body, 50 mm wingspan | 20-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Meadows | Meadows |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Owlfly
Dragonfly-like neuropterans with large eyes and clubbed antennae. Fast aerial predators that catch prey in flight. Often found in Mediterranean meadows at dusk.
Did You Know?
Owlflies look like a hybrid between a dragonfly and a butterfly — they have large dragonfly-like eyes with striking clubbed antennae found nowhere else in the insect world.
Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly
A North American hangingfly that hunts small insects while dangling from vegetation. Females assess male quality based on the size of prey offered as nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
Females will only mate with males that offer prey items above a certain size, rejecting males with inadequate gifts.