Xanthostigma Snakefly vs Common Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Xanthostigma Snakefly Common Snakefly
Scientific Name Xanthostigma xanthostigma Raphidia notata
Order Raphidioptera Raphidioptera
Family Raphidiidae Raphidiidae
Size 12-18 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Woodlands Orchards
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Xanthostigma Snakefly

A snakefly with a distinctive yellow wing stigma from which it derives its name. It is found in European woodlands where it hunts small insects on tree trunks.

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Did You Know?

Snakefly larvae develop under bark where they are voracious predators of bark beetle larvae and other wood-boring insects.

Common Snakefly

A distinctive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax that gives it a snake-like appearance. It hunts aphids and other small insects on tree bark.

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Did You Know?

Snakeflies can raise their elongated thorax and strike at prey in a manner reminiscent of a snake, hence their name.