Icelandic Water Beetle vs Common Snakefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Icelandic Water Beetle | Common Snakefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Agabus bipustulatus | Raphidia notata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Raphidioptera |
| Family | Dytiscidae | Raphidiidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Orchards |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Iceland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Europe, Arctic Canada | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
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.
Common Snakefly
A distinctive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax that gives it a snake-like appearance. It hunts aphids and other small insects on tree bark.
Did You Know?
Snakeflies can raise their elongated thorax and strike at prey in a manner reminiscent of a snake, hence their name.