Wesmael's Brown Lacewing vs Giant African Antlion

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wesmael's Brown Lacewing Giant African Antlion
Scientific Name Wesmaelius subnebulosus Palpares speciosus
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Hemerobiidae Myrmeleontidae
Size 10-16 mm wingspan 100-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Europe, Western Asia Southern Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Wesmael's Brown Lacewing

A medium-sized brown lacewing with subtly patterned wings found across Europe. Frequent in gardens and deciduous woodland.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the earliest lacewings to appear in spring, sometimes active as early as March.

Giant African Antlion

A massive African antlion with strikingly marked black-and-yellow wings. One of the largest neuropteran insects in the world.

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Did You Know?

It is among the largest living neuropterans, with some individuals exceeding 13 cm in wingspan.