Hairy Dragonfly vs White-faced Darter
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy Dragonfly | White-faced Darter |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachytron pratense | Leucorrhinia dubia |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 54-63mm | 33-37mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
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.
White-faced Darter
A small dragonfly with a distinctive white face and red markings on a dark body. It is a specialist of acidic bog pools with Sphagnum moss. Males hover over pools displaying their white face.
Did You Know?
It is so dependent on intact peatland bogs that its presence indicates a healthy, undrained peat ecosystem.