Large Spring Stonefly vs Golden-Ringed Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Spring Stonefly Golden-Ringed Dragonfly
Scientific Name Dinocras cephalotes Cordulegaster boltonii
Order Plecoptera Odonata
Family Perlidae Cordulegastridae
Size 20-35 mm 76-84 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Spring Stonefly

One of the largest European stoneflies with a distinctively broad, flattened head. Nymphs are apex invertebrate predators in upland streams.

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Did You Know?

Despite their large wings, adults are poor fliers and prefer to run along streamside rocks.

Golden-Ringed Dragonfly

The longest dragonfly in Britain, adorned with bold black and yellow rings along its body. Females have a conspicuous ovipositor used to inject eggs into stream beds.

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Did You Know?

The larvae of golden-ringed dragonflies live buried in stream sediment for up to five years before emerging as adults, ambushing prey from their sandy hideouts.