Blue Skimmer vs Tropical Flat Bark Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Skimmer | Tropical Flat Bark Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthetrum caledonicum | Tricondyla aptera |
| Order | Odonata | Coleoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Carabidae |
| Size | Body 4-5 cm; wingspan 6-8 cm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand | Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Skimmer
A common Australian dragonfly where mature males develop a powdery blue pruinescence over their abdomen. Females and young males are brown and yellow.
Did You Know?
The blue coloring of males is not a pigment but a waxy powder that can be rubbed off with a finger.
Tropical Flat Bark Tiger Beetle
A bizarre, ant-like tiger beetle with an extremely elongated body, narrow waist, and long legs. It hunts on tree bark in Southeast Asian rainforests and is completely flightless.
Did You Know?
Its ant-like body shape with a constricted waist is thought to be Batesian mimicry of large ants, allowing it to approach ant prey without being recognized as a predator.