Golden-Ringed Dragonfly vs Great Red Sedge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden-Ringed Dragonfly Great Red Sedge
Scientific Name Cordulegaster boltonii Phryganea striata
Order Odonata Trichoptera
Family Cordulegastridae Phryganeidae
Size 76-84 mm wingspan 20-25 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe
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.

Great Red Sedge

A large cinnamon-colored caddisfly with distinctive striped wings, well known to European anglers. It hatches in early summer on lakes and slow rivers.

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Did You Know?

This caddisfly inspired one of the oldest known artificial fishing flies, the "Great Red Sedge," used since at least the fifteenth century.