Eastern Toe-biter vs Migrant Hawker
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Toe-biter | Migrant Hawker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Benacus griseus | Aeshna mixta |
| Order | Hemiptera | Odonata |
| Family | Belostomatidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm | 56-64 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Eastern Toe-biter
A very large, flattened brown water bug found in eastern North America. Males carry eggs on their backs until they hatch, providing protection and aeration. It can deliver an extremely painful bite if handled.
Did You Know?
Males are dedicated fathers, carrying up to 100 eggs cemented to their backs for several weeks, regularly doing 'push-ups' at the water surface to aerate the developing embryos.
Migrant Hawker
A medium-sized hawker dragonfly that has significantly expanded its range northward in Europe. It flies late into autumn, often the last dragonfly seen each year.
Did You Know?
This species often forms large feeding swarms in the autumn, with dozens of individuals hunting together over fields and along hedgerows.