Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing vs Creeping Water Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing Creeping Water Bug
Scientific Name Croce filipennis Ilyocoris cimicoides
Order Neuroptera Hemiptera
Family Nemopteridae Naucoridae
Size 15-20 mm forewing; hindwings up to 80 mm 12-16 mm
Habitat Heathland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Southern Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing

A bizarre nemopterid with extremely long, thread-like hindwings. Males have hindwings that can be several times their body length.

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Did You Know?

Its hindwings can be four times longer than the forewings, trailing behind like fine threads.

Creeping Water Bug

A robust aquatic bug that crawls along pond bottoms and delivers a painful bite.

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Did You Know?

Its forelegs are powerfully built raptorial limbs for seizing prey.