Azure Damselfly of Azores vs Snowfield Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Azure Damselfly of Azores Snowfield Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Ischnura hastata Geodromicus globulicollis
Order Odonata Coleoptera
Family Coenagrionidae Staphylinidae
Size 2.5-3 cm 3-5 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Mountains
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Portugal Alps, Carpathians, Scandinavian mountains
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Azure Damselfly of Azores

On the Azores, this species has evolved the only known all-female population of any odonate. These females reproduce through parthenogenesis.

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Did You Know?

The Azores population is entirely female and reproduces without mating, a phenomenon unique among dragonflies and damselflies.

Snowfield Rove Beetle

A small, cold-adapted omaline rove beetle found at high elevations near snowfields and glacier margins. It is active on snow surfaces where it hunts wind-blown insects trapped on the ice.

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Did You Know?

This beetle is active at temperatures near freezing and has antifreeze proteins in its blood that prevent ice crystal formation.