Long-tailed Dance Fly vs Malay Green Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-tailed Dance Fly Malay Green Lacewing
Scientific Name Rhamphomyia longicauda Mallada basalis
Order Diptera Neuroptera
Family Empididae Chrysopidae
Size 5-8mm 14-20 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Farmland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Southern China
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Long-tailed Dance Fly

A small dark fly where females inflate their legs with air to appear larger during mating swarms. Males present nuptial gifts.

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Did You Know?

Females inflate their legs with air bubbles to look larger and more impressive to choosy males in mating swarms.

Malay Green Lacewing

A tropical Asian lacewing with a greenish body and dark wing venation. Commercially reared in Taiwan for pest control in greenhouses.

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Did You Know?

Taiwanese farmers release this species in nethouses to protect strawberry and vegetable crops.