Black Slip Wasp vs Common Spongillafly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Slip Wasp Common Spongillafly
Scientific Name Pimpla instigator Sisyra fuscata
Order Hymenoptera Neuroptera
Family Ichneumonidae Sisyridae
Size 12-16 mm 6-10 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Ponds & Lakes
Diet Parasitoids Parasitoids
Regions Europe, Asia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black Slip Wasp

A medium-sized black ichneumon wasp that parasitizes butterfly and moth pupae. Uses its ovipositor to penetrate through cocoons. A common and widespread species.

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Did You Know?

Can drill its ovipositor through tough pupal cases and silk cocoons to reach the developing insect inside.

Common Spongillafly

A small dark lacewing whose larvae are aquatic parasitoids of freshwater sponges. One of the few neuropterans with aquatic larval stages.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae breathe underwater using specialized pointed mouthparts that also pierce sponge cells for feeding.