Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Wildlife Spotting

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-21.1915, -45.0625

Field Notes

Description:

Can someone tell me who is this guy? I have never seen anything like this before. Pay attention to the eyes of this insect, are 4 in total, two normal, like a butterfly, and two facing downwards.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (11)
Carol Snow Milne
I shared it on my facebook page because it is a great insect find. Congrats! Your Owlfly is so cool!
Kassius Santos
Thanks Kristal, I also believe that it is a Neuroptera. But which species would be this? Has anyone seen something similar before?
KristalWatrous
Yep, definitely owlfly (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae: subfamily Ascalaphinae). The divided eyes are a characteristic distinct to this subfamily. If I can figure it out more specifically I'll let you know.
Carol Snow Milne
Kristal! Wow! I first thought it was a dragonfly, then a moth, then I didn't know what. You are SPOT on! Great ID job.
KristalWatrous
Looks like it could be an owl fly (Neuroptera: family Ascalaphidae) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owlfly.
Carol Snow Milne
Maybe this is why there r so many Tinker Bell fans here in the USA. It certainly fits the part! HA! She looks like a Queen!
Scott Frazier
The missing link of the insect world! A candidate for Enigmatic Spotting of the Day ;-)
Photographed
PublishedNovember 26, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies