Hairy Dragonfly vs Giant Water Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy Dragonfly | Giant Water Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachytron pratense | Lethocerus americanus |
| Order | Odonata | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Belostomatidae |
| Size | 54-63mm | 50-65 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| 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.
Giant Water Bug
One of the largest true bugs. Powerful predator that catches fish, frogs, and even small snakes. Males carry eggs on their backs until hatching. Known as "toe-biters."
Did You Know?
Giant water bugs are devoted fathers — males carry up to 100 eggs on their backs for weeks, regularly doing push-ups at the water surface to keep eggs oxygenated.