Pennsylvania Ambush Bug vs Dark-stigma Snakefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pennsylvania Ambush Bug | Dark-stigma Snakefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phymata pennsylvanica | Phaeostigma notata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Raphidioptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Raphidiidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 12-15 mm body |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf states | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pennsylvania Ambush Bug
A small chunky yellow and brown bug with thickened raptorial forelegs that hides in flower heads to ambush pollinators. It can capture prey many times its own size.
Did You Know?
It can capture and kill bumble bees and butterflies that are more than ten times its own weight.
Dark-stigma Snakefly
A primitive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax giving it a snake-like neck. Found on tree trunks in woodland. Both adults and larvae prey on small insects.
Did You Know?
Snakeflies are living fossils with a body plan virtually unchanged for over 140 million years.