Black-tailed Skimmer vs Brown Hawker
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black-tailed Skimmer | Brown Hawker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthetrum cancellatum | Aeshna grandis |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 44-50 mm body length | 70-77 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black-tailed Skimmer
A robust dragonfly with a powder-blue abdomen tipped with black in mature males. It basks flat on bare ground and gravel banks beside open water.
Did You Know?
Unlike most dragonflies, it prefers to rest flat on the ground rather than perching on vegetation.
Brown Hawker
A large dragonfly entirely brown with amber-tinted wings, unique among European hawkers. Its warm brown coloring makes it unmistakable in flight.
Did You Know?
It is the only large European dragonfly that is entirely brown with bronze-tinted wings.