Golden-Ringed Dragonfly vs African Tiger Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden-Ringed Dragonfly African Tiger Beetle
Scientific Name Cordulegaster boltonii Manticora latipennis
Order Odonata Coleoptera
Family Cordulegastridae Cicindelidae
Size 76-84 mm wingspan 40-65 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Deserts & Drylands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Southern Africa (Namibia, South Africa, Botswana)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Golden-Ringed Dragonfly

The longest dragonfly in Britain, adorned with bold black and yellow rings along its body. Females have a conspicuous ovipositor used to inject eggs into stream beds.

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Did You Know?

The larvae of golden-ringed dragonflies live buried in stream sediment for up to five years before emerging as adults, ambushing prey from their sandy hideouts.

African Tiger Beetle

The world's largest tiger beetle, a fierce predator with massive jaws. It is flightless and hunts on the ground at night.

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Did You Know?

Despite being flightless, it can sprint across sand at speeds that would be equivalent to a human running over 300 km/h.