Palpares Antlion vs Spoonwing Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Palpares Antlion Spoonwing Lacewing
Scientific Name Palpares immensus Nemoptera bipennis
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Myrmeleontidae Nemopteridae
Size 100-140 mm wingspan 20-28 mm body
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Grasslands
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Spoonwing Lacewing

A graceful insect with spatula-shaped hindwing extensions, giving it an ethereal appearance in flight. Common in Iberian Peninsula grasslands.

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Did You Know?

The spoon-shaped hindwings create an unusual fluttering flight pattern that makes the insect difficult for predators to track.