Trash-carrying Lacewing vs Dune Spoonwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Trash-carrying Lacewing Dune Spoonwing
Scientific Name Chrysopa nigricornis Halter halteratus
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Chrysopidae Nemopteridae
Size 16-24 mm wingspan 20-28 mm wingspan (forewings)
Habitat Woodlands Beaches & Coastal
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Mediterranean Basin, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Trash-carrying Lacewing

A North American green lacewing with dark antennae. Its larvae camouflage themselves by piling debris on their backs.

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Did You Know?

Larvae stack the remains of consumed prey on their backs as both camouflage and defense.

Dune Spoonwing

A small nemopterid with spoon-tipped hindwings found in coastal Mediterranean habitats. Commonly seen fluttering over sandy ground near the sea.

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Did You Know?

The species name 'halteratus' refers to the haltere-like form of its modified hindwings.