Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing vs Oak Bush-cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing Oak Bush-cricket
Scientific Name Croce filipennis Meconema thalassinum
Order Neuroptera Orthoptera
Family Nemopteridae Tettigoniidae
Size 15-20 mm forewing; hindwings up to 80 mm 12-17mm
Habitat Heathland Underground
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.

Oak Bush-cricket

A slender, pale green bush-cricket found in tree canopies. It is nocturnal and rarely flies despite having fully developed wings. Females have a long, upcurved ovipositor.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few predatory katydids in Europe, hunting aphids and caterpillars at night.