Hine's Emerald Dragonfly vs Icelandic Water Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hine's Emerald Dragonfly Icelandic Water Beetle
Scientific Name Somatochlora hineana Agabus bipustulatus
Order Odonata Coleoptera
Family Corduliidae Dytiscidae
Size 5-6 cm 9-12 mm
Habitat Wetlands Tundra & Arctic
Diet Predators Predators
Regions United States Iceland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Europe, Arctic Canada
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Hine's Emerald Dragonfly

A brilliant green-eyed emerald dragonfly found in calcareous spring-fed wetlands. It is one of the most endangered dragonflies in North America.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae take two to four years to develop in the cold, mineral-rich groundwater of fens.

Icelandic Water Beetle

A medium-sized, oval, dark brown diving beetle found in cold ponds and lakes. It carries a silvery air bubble under its elytra for breathing underwater. Adults are strong fliers and can colonize isolated Arctic ponds.

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Did You Know?

This beetle is one of the most widespread diving beetles in the Arctic and can fly long distances to colonize new ponds created by permafrost thaw.