Desert Threadtail Damselfly vs Web-spinning Barklouse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Threadtail Damselfly Web-spinning Barklouse
Scientific Name Protoneuridae sp. Archipsocus nomas
Order Odonata Psocoptera
Family Coenagrionidae Archipsocidae
Size 25-35 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Southeastern United States, Central America
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Desert Threadtail Damselfly

A tiny, thread-thin damselfly found near desert springs and oases. It has one of the most restricted habitats of any dragonfly, depending on permanent desert water.

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Did You Know?

Some desert threadtails exist in populations of fewer than 100 individuals at a single spring.

Web-spinning Barklouse

A bark louse known for spinning communal silk webs over tree bark in tropical and subtropical regions. Large colonies can cover entire tree trunks.

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Did You Know?

Their communal silk webs can cover entire tree trunks like a ghostly shroud.