# Snakeflies (*Raphidioptera*)

Snakeflies are fascinating insects with long bodies and unique, snake-like heads. They are often found in gardens and forests, where they hunt for other insects.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Snakeflies](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ornatoraphidia_flavilabris.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Adam Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ornatoraphidia_flavilabris.jpg)

## Appearance

The Snakeflies has a long, slender body with a distinctive elongated "neck" (prothorax), giving them their name. They possess two pairs of clear, membranous wings with intricate veins. Often brown or greenish-brown, they resemble a tiny praying mantis but lack its powerful raptorial front legs.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Raphidioptera
- **Family:** Raphidiidae

## Interesting facts

- Snakeflies belong to their own ancient insect order called Raphidioptera.
- Their name comes from their long neck, which they strike like a snake!
- They use their strong jaws to grab and eat soft-bodied insects like aphids.
- Unlike many insects, both adult and larval snakeflies are fierce hunters!

## Special abilities

- **Precision Predator Neck:** Snakeflies has an extra-long neck that helps them ambush small insects from crevices with lightning speed.
- **Underbark Hunter:** Snakefly larvae can live for years under tree bark, using their flat bodies to hunt other hidden insects.
- **Keen-Eyed Flyer:** Snakeflies has prominent compound eyes that help them spot tiny moving prey while flying.
- **Sticky Egg Placement:** Female snakeflies can use a long ovipositor to place eggs deep into bark crevices, protecting them.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 15-50 mm
- **Size:** 10-30 mm
- **Lifespan:** 395-1125 days
- **Flight Speed:** 2-5 km/h
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Snakeflies are insect hunters, eating many small pests to keep ecosystems healthy.

- **Age differences:** Larvae and adults are both predatory, but larvae hunt in concealed spaces.
- **Primary Foods:** Aphids, Caterpillars, Mites, Small beetles, Insect larvae
- **Foraging Method:** Ambush

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** Cotton Aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Adult and larval snakeflies hunt and eat aphids.
- **Eats:** Two-spotted spider mite (*Tetranychus urticae*) — Larval snakeflies consume mites found under bark.
- **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds like tits prey on adult snakeflies.
- **Eaten by:** Common Wasp (*Vespula vulgaris*) — Wasps may catch and eat adult snakeflies.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
- [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Snakeflies are harmless and fun to watch, but it's best to look without touching.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Snakeflies?

Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Snakeflies's wingspan?

15-50 mm

### How big is Snakeflies?

10-30 mm

### How long does Snakeflies live?

395-1125 days

### How fast can Snakeflies fly?

2-5 km/h

### What does Snakeflies eat?

Snakeflies are insect hunters, eating many small pests to keep ecosystems healthy.

### Where is Snakeflies usually found?

Forests

### How does Snakeflies hunt?

Ambush

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Snakeflies: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snakeflies)