The scientific name of the species I'm presenting in today's post is Libelloides macaronius. It belongs to the Ascalaphidae family, a family of insects commonly known as owlflies. When I was a kid, I thought this insect was some kind of moth or a dragonfly of sorts. It is diurnal, and some diurnal moths from the Zygaenidae family look somewhat similar at first sight. Only recently, I mean relatively recently, about ten or fifteen years ago, I learned that something called an owlfly exists, and I also learned more about Libelloides macaronius. Now I know that it is a predator and that it has excellent eyesight. Despite being active during the day, especially late in the afternoon, it has eyes of a type typical of nocturnal insects. However, those eyes work fine in daylight. Don't ask me how. I read that they work, so they work, and that's it about the eyes; not a word more! I had enough! Owlflies are Neuroptera, or net-winged insects. Their closest relatives are antlions (Myrmeleontidae family).
And that's it. It ain't much, but it is kinda cool, don't you think? This owfly is very common where I live, but it still fascinates me. As always on Hive, the photographs are my work-THE END.
