Oak Pinhole Borer vs Common Brown Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Oak Pinhole Borer Common Brown Lacewing
Scientific Name Platypus cylindrus Hemerobius humulinus
Order Coleoptera Neuroptera
Family Curculionidae Hemerobiidae
Size 4-6 mm 6-10 mm
Habitat Gardens Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Oak Pinhole Borer

A tiny ambrosia beetle that bores into oak trees and cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. The only European species of its subfamily. Males guard the tunnel entrance.

💡

Did You Know?

One of the few farming insects in Europe, cultivating fungal crops inside tunnels bored into oak wood.

Common Brown Lacewing

A small brownish lacewing with mottled wings commonly found on deciduous trees. Adults and larvae both feed on aphids and other small insects.

💡

Did You Know?

Unlike green lacewings, brown lacewing adults are also predatory and actively hunt small insects.