Can anyone help id this??

lolyton · #1 (**permalink**) 14-05-2006, 09:18 AM

Hi,
These pictures are of an insect that i came across whilst holidaying in Spain, not strictly British i know, but i was just wondering if anyone could help me identify them or at least point me in the direction of someone that can.
My pictures of them aren't brilliant but they first apper to be a dragonfly only they have 2 trailing tails on eitherside. Also they fly more like a butterfly (a clumsy flutter), and this made me think that it was a variety of butterfly as it wouldn't be able to chase other insects.
Please help if you can and once again sorry for the image quality.

lolyton · #2 (**permalink**) 14-05-2006, 09:34 PM

If anyone was interested as to what it was, after almost a full day searching i found that it is a lacewing. a fairly uncommon variety possibly a ribbon-winged lacewing. Cheers for looking!

Gill Catton · #3 (**permalink**) 14-05-2006, 09:37 PM

it's lovely, I was going to guess at ant lion but am no entomologist!!!

lolyton · #4 (**permalink**) 14-05-2006, 09:48 PM

You got me worried there for a sec, i thought i'd solved it then as i delved into the world of ant lions i found some very similar varieties.....however none seem to fit as well as the lacewing types i found (one of 3 different sorts). I can relax again. pheww!

Gill Catton · #5 (**permalink**) 14-05-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolyton

You got me worried there for a sec, i thought i'd solved it then as i delved into the world of ant lions i found some very similar varieties.....however none seem to fit as well as the lacewing types i found (one of 3 different sorts). I can relax again. pheww!

The only ant lion I've ever seen in the flesh was suprisingly big, like a dragonfly in size but with a slender head and body like a damselfly.
Yours looks a bit smaller so you're probably right.

Imaginos · #6 (**permalink**) 15-05-2006, 07:53 AM

It is an Ant lion, looks like a Nemoptera.
Ant lions have recently (re)colonised the UK-keep a look out!

Tinkerbell · #7 (**permalink**) 15-05-2006, 08:01 AM

I had a google around yesterday lolyton and could find nothing. Pleased to see others have solved the puzzle (is it a good thing we may be seeing this in the UK)? Incidentally, what a beautiful insect it is.

Tink

henrya · #8 (**permalink**) 15-05-2006, 08:11 AM

The antlions that have been found in Britain are of a different family from this. Not sure if this is strictly an antlion, but certainly a species of Nemoptera.

henrya

lolyton · #9 (**permalink**) 16-05-2006, 02:22 PM

Cheers, I've looked into it again a little more, and got slightly confused. Ant Lions and Lacewings must be one and the same, i understand they are a very varied species.
Also sorry for maybe confusing others but my example was actually photographed on holiday in Spain as i originally said. But it's great to hear that hey are making a comeback to British shores, i'll keep my eyes peeled.

henrya · #10 (**permalink**) 16-05-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote
Ant Lions and Lacewings must be one and the same, i understand they are a very varied species.
Endquote

Ant Lions are lacewings (more or less) but not all lacewings are Ant Lions. Your picture shows a species from the Family Nemopteridae, which is still a lacewing (order Neuroptera), but not, I think, an Ant Lion. I wish it were simpler!

henrya