Polystoechotes punctata
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Polystoechotes punctata is a species of giant lacewing in the family Ithonidae. Found in Central America and North America, this giant lacewing was considered extirpated from eastern North America by the 1950s but was serendipitously rediscovered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where it was found clinging to a facade at a Walmart in 2012. Although it was found in 2012, it was misidentified until 2020.
Characteristics Winged insect, grow up to two inches. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Redwood National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Banff National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 4 | Great Bear Rainforest | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 5 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Polystoechotes punctata sighting in Portland on a given day, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 358th most-seen of the 507 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
September
In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Polystoechotes punctata in Portland on a given day, against under 5% in October to August, the lowest months. That is one of Portland's driest months, with about 55 mm of rain against 250 mm in December.
Between 8 and 11 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Polystoechotes punctata sightings with a recorded time, and about half of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is seen both by day and at night.
Yes
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Polystoechotes punctata sightings, Portland has the highest daily chance: under 5%. Next come Vancouver (Canada, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Polystoechotes punctata is recorded against all the insects logged in Portland (9 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
