Ribbon-winged Lacewing vs Common Spongillafly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ribbon-winged Lacewing Common Spongillafly
Scientific Name Nemoptera coa Sisyra fuscata
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Nemopteridae Sisyridae
Size 30-38 mm wingspan (forewings) 6-10 mm wingspan
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Parasitoids
Regions Greece, Turkey, Aegean Islands Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ribbon-winged Lacewing

A graceful Aegean lacewing with long ribbon-like hindwings and patterned forewings. Found on dry, flower-rich hillsides of Greek islands.

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Did You Know?

It is a popular subject for nature photographers visiting the Greek islands in late spring.

Common Spongillafly

A small dark lacewing whose larvae are aquatic parasitoids of freshwater sponges. One of the few neuropterans with aquatic larval stages.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae breathe underwater using specialized pointed mouthparts that also pierce sponge cells for feeding.