Arctic Aphid vs Fulvous Forest Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Aphid | Fulvous Forest Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum | Neurothemis fulvia |
| Order | Hemiptera | Odonata |
| Family | Aphididae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 30-40 mm body length |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Svalbard, Arctic Scandinavia, Greenland | South Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Aphid
A small, pale green aphid that is one of the most northerly herbivorous insects on Earth. It feeds on the sap of Dryas octopetala and other Arctic plants. Populations are entirely parthenogenetic in the High Arctic.
Did You Know?
This aphid reproduces entirely without mating in the Arctic, producing live young that are clones of the mother.
Fulvous Forest Skimmer
A beautiful dragonfly showing dramatic sexual dimorphism. Males have rich amber-orange wings with dark tips, while females have transparent wings with brown markings. It perches frequently on waterside vegetation.
Did You Know?
Males are intensely territorial and perform spectacular aerial dogfights to defend their perching and breeding territories.