Seaweed Fly vs Wandering Percher

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Seaweed Fly Wandering Percher
Scientific Name Coelopa frigida Diplacodes bipunctata
Order Diptera Odonata
Family Coelopidae Libellulidae
Size 5-8 mm Body 2.5-3 cm; wingspan 4-5 cm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Detritivores Predators
Regions North Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America Australia, Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Seaweed Fly

A coastal fly whose larvae develop in rotting seaweed wrack on beaches. It forms massive swarms on strandlines that can annoy beachgoers.

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Did You Know?

It is a model organism for studying sexual selection because larger males win more mating contests.

Wandering Percher

A small dragonfly where males turn deep red with maturity while females remain yellow and brown. It is one of Australia's most abundant and adaptable dragonflies.

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Did You Know?

It is often the first dragonfly to colonize newly created water bodies such as garden ponds.