Relict Himalayan Dragonfly vs Giant Water Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Relict Himalayan Dragonfly | Giant Water Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epiophlebia laidlawi | Lethocerus americanus |
| Order | Odonata | Hemiptera |
| Family | Epiophlebiidae | Belostomatidae |
| Size | 5-6 cm | 50-65 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | India, Nepal, Bhutan | North America |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Relict Himalayan Dragonfly
A living fossil dragonfly from the Himalayas that retains features of both dragonflies and damselflies. It breeds in cold mountain streams above 1800 m.
Did You Know?
Its family dates back to the Jurassic period, making it one of the most primitive living dragonflies.
Giant Water Bug
One of the largest true bugs. Powerful predator that catches fish, frogs, and even small snakes. Males carry eggs on their backs until hatching. Known as "toe-biters."
Did You Know?
Giant water bugs are devoted fathers — males carry up to 100 eggs on their backs for weeks, regularly doing push-ups at the water surface to keep eggs oxygenated.