Dark-stigma Snakefly vs Xanthostigma Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-stigma Snakefly Xanthostigma Snakefly
Scientific Name Phaeostigma notata Xanthostigma xanthostigma
Order Raphidioptera Raphidioptera
Family Raphidiidae Raphidiidae
Size 12-15 mm body 12-18 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
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.

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.