Snakefly

Natural Habitat

Temperate holartic regions, typically found in wooded or forested areas near trees

Diet & Feeding

Predatory: both adults and larvae feed on soft-bodied insects like aphids, mites, and springtails

Behavior Patterns

Known for their elongated prothorax resembling a snake's neck, which they use to strike at prey. They have a complex life cycle involving a long larval stage and a pupal stage that requires cold weather to trigger adult emergence.

Risks & Benefits

Generally beneficial to ecosystems and gardeners as they act as natural controllers of pest insect populations; they do not sting or bite humans.

Identified on: 4/13/2026