Pasimachus Flat Ground Beetle vs Blue Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pasimachus Flat Ground Beetle | Blue Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pasimachus depressus | Orthetrum caledonicum |
| Order | Coleoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Carabidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 22-30 mm | Body 4-5 cm; wingspan 6-8 cm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pasimachus Flat Ground Beetle
A large, broad, flattened shiny black beetle with massive mandibles and distinctive blue-margined elytra. It is one of the most imposing ground beetles in North America.
Did You Know?
Its immensely powerful mandibles can easily pierce through the tough exoskeleton of other beetles, and it has been observed killing and eating June bugs and other scarabs.
Blue Skimmer
A common Australian dragonfly where mature males develop a powdery blue pruinescence over their abdomen. Females and young males are brown and yellow.
Did You Know?
The blue coloring of males is not a pigment but a waxy powder that can be rubbed off with a finger.