Epomis Ground Beetle vs White-faced Darter

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Epomis Ground Beetle White-faced Darter
Scientific Name Epomis dejeani Leucorrhinia dubia
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Carabidae Libellulidae
Size 14-20 mm (adults) 33-37mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Underground
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Middle East Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Epomis Ground Beetle

A beetle whose larvae lure and devour frogs — a rare case of predator-prey role reversal. The larva waggles its antennae to attract an amphibian, then latches on and feeds.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the only known cases where an insect larva regularly preys on vertebrates — the larvae have a near 100% success rate against attacking frogs.

White-faced Darter

A small dragonfly with a distinctive white face and red markings on a dark body. It is a specialist of acidic bog pools with Sphagnum moss. Males hover over pools displaying their white face.

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Did You Know?

It is so dependent on intact peatland bogs that its presence indicates a healthy, undrained peat ecosystem.