Hairy Dragonfly vs Common Pond Skater
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy Dragonfly | Common Pond Skater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachytron pratense | Aquarius najas |
| Order | Odonata | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Gerridae |
| Size | 54-63mm | 14-17 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
It emerges up to two months earlier than other hawkers, giving it exclusive access to spring insect prey.
Common Pond Skater
A large, elongate water strider that glides across the surface of flowing rivers and large ponds. It is one of the biggest European gerrid species with a dark brown body.
Did You Know?
Pond skaters communicate with potential mates and rivals by generating specific ripple patterns on the water surface, essentially sending coded messages across the water.