San Francisco Forktail Damselfly vs Xantholine Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute San Francisco Forktail Damselfly Xantholine Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Ischnura gemina Xantholinus linearis
Order Odonata Coleoptera
Family Coenagrionidae Staphylinidae
Size 2.5-3 cm 6-9 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Woodlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions United States Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

San Francisco Forktail Damselfly

A tiny damselfly restricted to a few freshwater ponds near the San Francisco Bay coast. It is threatened by urban encroachment and invasive plants.

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Did You Know?

This species is nearly identical to the common Pacific forktail and can only be distinguished by close examination.

Xantholine Rove Beetle

An elongated, shiny black rove beetle with a distinctive long head. It hunts small invertebrates in soil and under bark.

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Did You Know?

Its extremely elongated head allows it to probe deep into bark crevices and soil pores for hidden prey.