Ribbon-winged Lacewing vs Yellow-legged Hornet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ribbon-winged Lacewing Yellow-legged Hornet
Scientific Name Nemoptera coa Vespa velutina
Order Neuroptera Hymenoptera
Family Nemopteridae Vespidae
Size 30-38 mm wingspan (forewings) 20-30 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Woodlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Greece, Turkey, Aegean Islands East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe
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.

Yellow-legged Hornet

An invasive Asian hornet with a dark body and yellow leg tips now spreading rapidly across Europe. It is a major predator of honeybees near hive entrances.

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Did You Know?

Since arriving in France in 2004 in a shipment of pottery, it has spread to most of Western Europe.