Spoonwing Lacewing vs Bitter Blue

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spoonwing Lacewing Bitter Blue
Scientific Name Nemoptera bipennis Theclinesthes miskini
Order Neuroptera Lepidoptera
Family Nemopteridae Lycaenidae
Size 20-28 mm body 20-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Beaches & Coastal
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Bitter Blue

Small blue and brown butterfly with spotted gray undersides. Commonly found around its host plant in Australian coastal areas.

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Did You Know?

It is tended by several species of ants that protect the caterpillars in exchange for honeydew.