Spotted-Winged Antlion vs Common Antlion

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spotted-Winged Antlion Common Antlion
Scientific Name Dendroleon pantherinus Myrmeleon immaculatus
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Myrmeleontidae Myrmeleontidae
Size 35-40 mm wingspan 30-45 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Deserts & Drylands
Diet Detritivores Predators
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Spotted-Winged Antlion

A large antlion with distinctive spotted wings found in old-growth forests. Its larvae hide in tree-hole detritus rather than building sand pits.

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Did You Know?

This antlion is unusual because its larvae ambush prey in tree hollows rather than digging pits in sand.

Common Antlion

A delicate lacewing-like insect whose larvae are famous pit-trap predators. Adults are nocturnal and resemble slender damselflies.

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Did You Know?

The larva flicks sand grains at prey to knock them back into its funnel-shaped pit trap.