Black-tailed Skimmer vs Giant Pedunculate Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black-tailed Skimmer | Giant Pedunculate Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthetrum cancellatum | Anthia thoracica |
| Order | Odonata | Coleoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 44-50 mm body length | 40-60 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe | Southern Africa |
| 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.
Giant Pedunculate Ground Beetle
A very large southern African ground beetle with bold white markings on a black body. It is one of the largest carabids in the world.
Did You Know?
It can spray formic acid from its abdomen up to 30 centimeters when threatened.