General Description

Antennae long with swollen (clubbed) tips. When resting, abdomen is raised above head and wings hang down either side of the body. Larva flattened, brown and rounded with large jaws. Body up to 4 cm long.

Biology

Owlflies hunt flying insects during the day. Larvae hunt prey on the ground or in low vegetation. Females lay clusters of 30-60 eggs on twigs and grass stems. They are a lacewing, not a true fly.

Distribution

Northern and eastern mainland Australia.

Habitat

On plants and in leaf litter.

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