Blue-fronted Dancer vs Nebria Streamside Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Blue-fronted Dancer	Nebria Streamside Beetle
Scientific Name	Argia apicalis	Nebria brevicollis
Order	Odonata	Coleoptera
Family	Coenagrionidae	Carabidae
Size	28-38 mm	10-14 mm
Habitat	Rivers & Streams	Rivers & Streams
Diet	Omnivores	Omnivores
Regions	North America	Europe, Introduced to North America and New Zealand
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Blue-fronted Dancer

A robust damselfly with vivid blue coloring found in eastern North America. It prefers streams and rivers rather than still water.

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Unlike most pond damselflies, dancers are adapted to flowing water and perch on streamside rocks.

A very common European ground beetle often found near streams and in damp habitats. It is active year-round including during mild winter nights.

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It is one of very few ground beetles that breeds in autumn and is active throughout the winter months.