Norfolk Damselfly vs European Spruce Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Norfolk Damselfly European Spruce Sawfly
Scientific Name Coenagrion armatum Gilpinia hercyniae
Order Odonata Hymenoptera
Family Coenagrionidae Diprionidae
Size 28-32 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Wetlands Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, introduced to North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Norfolk Damselfly

A critically rare damselfly once found in the Norfolk Broads of England, now extinct in Britain. Small populations persist in Scandinavia and eastern Europe.

💡

Did You Know?

It went extinct in Britain in the 1950s and has not been seen there since despite extensive surveys.

European Spruce Sawfly

A moderately sized sawfly with dark brown to black coloring and pectinate antennae in males. Larvae are green with white lateral stripes and feed on spruce needles.

💡

Did You Know?

After its introduction to North America in the 1920s, it caused massive spruce defoliation until a naturally occurring nuclear polyhedrosis virus brought populations under control.