Tropical Dustywing vs South African Owlfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tropical Dustywing South African Owlfly
Scientific Name Heteroconis picticornis Tmesibasis lacerata
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Coniopterygidae Ascalaphidae
Size 4-6 mm wingspan 45-60 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Grasslands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Tropical Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tropical Dustywing

A tropical dustywing with banded antennae found in Asian and African lowland habitats. One of the larger species in the family.

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Did You Know?

Its distinctively banded antennae make it one of the few dustywings identifiable without a microscope.

South African Owlfly

A large African owlfly with intricately patterned wings and prominent clubbed antennae. Active during warm summer afternoons in savanna regions.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae cover themselves in soil and debris, lying motionless until prey walks within reach.