Xanthostigma Snakefly vs Dark-stigma Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Xanthostigma Snakefly Dark-stigma Snakefly
Scientific Name Xanthostigma xanthostigma Phaeostigma notata
Order Raphidioptera Raphidioptera
Family Raphidiidae Raphidiidae
Size 12-18 mm 12-15 mm body
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
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.

Dark-stigma Snakefly

A primitive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax giving it a snake-like neck. Found on tree trunks in woodland. Both adults and larvae prey on small insects.

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Did You Know?

Snakeflies are living fossils with a body plan virtually unchanged for over 140 million years.