Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing vs Long-horned Antlion

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing Long-horned Antlion
Scientific Name Croce filipennis Distoleon tetragrammicus
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Nemopteridae Myrmeleontidae
Size 15-20 mm forewing; hindwings up to 80 mm 30-40 mm body, 60-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Beaches & Coastal
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Southern Africa Europe, North Africa
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.

Long-horned Antlion

A large antlion with intricately patterned wings and long clubbed antennae. Unlike most antlions, the larvae do not build pit traps.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae hide just beneath the sand surface and lunge at passing prey rather than using pit traps.