Common Darter vs Oak Pinhole Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Darter | Oak Pinhole Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sympetrum striolatum | Platypus cylindrus |
| Order | Odonata | Coleoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 35-44 mm body length | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Gardens |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Northern Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Darter
Europe's most abundant dragonfly, with mature males turning bright orange-red. It is often the last dragonfly flying in autumn, sometimes into November.
Did You Know?
Mating pairs lay eggs by repeatedly dipping the female's abdomen into the water while flying in tandem.
Oak Pinhole Borer
A tiny ambrosia beetle that bores into oak trees and cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. The only European species of its subfamily. Males guard the tunnel entrance.
Did You Know?
One of the few farming insects in Europe, cultivating fungal crops inside tunnels bored into oak wood.