Black Darter vs Asian Mud Dauber
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Darter | Asian Mud Dauber |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sympetrum danae | Sceliphron curvatum |
| Order | Odonata | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Sphecidae |
| Size | 29-34mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Central Asia, Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black Darter
Britain s smallest dragonfly where mature males become entirely jet black, unique among European dragonflies. Females and immatures are yellow with black markings. It prefers acidic boggy habitats.
Did You Know?
Males are the only entirely black dragonfly in Europe, making them unmistakable at acidic bog pools.
Asian Mud Dauber
A dark-bodied mud dauber originally from Central Asia now invasive across Europe. It builds mud nests inside buildings and provisions them with spiders.
Did You Know?
It spread from its native range in India and Central Asia to colonize most of southern and central Europe within just 30 years.