Painted Reed Beetle vs Scarlet Skimmer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Painted Reed Beetle Scarlet Skimmer
Scientific Name Plateumaris sericea Crocothemis erythraea
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Chrysomelidae Libellulidae
Size 7-10 mm 52-60 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Root Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, Asia Europe, Africa, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Painted Reed Beetle

A brilliantly metallic leaf beetle found on aquatic plants, varying from green to blue, copper, or purple. Larvae feed on submerged root systems.

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Did You Know?

Larvae breathe underwater by tapping into the air channels of aquatic plant roots.

Scarlet Skimmer

A medium-sized dragonfly where males are entirely vivid scarlet red, including the veins of the wings. It is one of the most recognizable dragonflies in the Old World.

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Did You Know?

The scarlet skimmer has been expanding rapidly into northern Europe, establishing breeding populations in countries where it was previously unknown.