Golden-headed Micropterix vs Hairy Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden-headed Micropterix Hairy Dragonfly
Scientific Name Micropterix aruncella Brachytron pratense
Order Lepidoptera Odonata
Family Micropterigidae Aeshnidae
Size 7-9 mm wingspan 54-63mm
Habitat Wetlands Wetlands
Diet Pollen Feeders Predators
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Golden-headed Micropterix

A tiny, metallic-headed moth that is among the most primitive living Lepidoptera. Adults have functional jaws instead of a proboscis and feed on pollen. A living fossil.

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Did You Know?

Retains functional chewing jaws like its ancient ancestors, predating the evolution of the typical butterfly proboscis by millions of years.

Hairy Dragonfly

The earliest-emerging hawker dragonfly in Europe, with a distinctively hairy thorax. Males have blue and green markings on a dark body. It flies along ditches and reed-fringed waterways.

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Did You Know?

It emerges up to two months earlier than other hawkers, giving it exclusive access to spring insect prey.