Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket vs Mascarene Spreadwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket | Mascarene Spreadwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ellipes minuta | Lestes auripennis |
| Order | Orthoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Tridactylidae | Lestidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 3.5-4.5 cm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Mauritius, Reunion |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket
One of the smallest orthopterans in the world, barely visible to the naked eye. It lives in moist sand and mud along tropical waterways.
Did You Know?
At just 3 mm long, it is smaller than many ants and is easily overlooked even by entomologists specifically searching for it.
Mascarene Spreadwing
A rare damselfly endemic to Mauritius and Reunion in the Mascarene Islands. It breeds in slow-flowing streams with overhanging vegetation.
Did You Know?
Most of Mauritius's original wetland habitat has been converted to sugar cane fields.