Pitted Ambrosia Beetle vs Signate Green Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pitted Ambrosia Beetle Signate Green Lacewing
Scientific Name Cnesinus strigicollis Mallada signatus
Order Coleoptera Neuroptera
Family Curculionidae Chrysopidae
Size 2-3mm 14-18 mm wingspan
Habitat Gardens Gardens
Diet Fungus Feeders Omnivores
Regions North America, South America Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pitted Ambrosia Beetle

A tiny dark brown bark beetle that cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. It introduces ambrosia fungi into the wood which it and its larvae eat.

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Did You Know?

It is one of many beetle species that practice true agriculture cultivating fungal crops inside tree tunnels for food.

Signate Green Lacewing

An Australian native lacewing commercially available for garden pest control. One of few lacewings sold in hardware stores for home use.

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Did You Know?

It is sold as eggs on cards in Australian garden centers for home gardeners to release.