Dark-stigma Snakefly vs Japanese Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-stigma Snakefly Japanese Snakefly
Scientific Name Phaeostigma notata Inocellia japonica
Order Raphidioptera Raphidioptera
Family Raphidiidae Inocelliidae
Size 12-15 mm body 12-18 mm
Habitat Woodlands Mountains
Diet Predators Wood Feeders
Regions Europe East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Japanese Snakefly

An East Asian snakefly with the characteristic elongated neck-like prothorax. It is one of the few snakefly species found in the Far East, near the order's eastern range limit.

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Did You Know?

Raphidioptera are completely absent from the Southern Hemisphere, an unusual distribution pattern among insect orders.