Slaty Skimmer vs Common Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Slaty Skimmer | Common Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Libellula incesta | Forficula auricularia |
| Order | Odonata | Dermaptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Forficulidae |
| Size | 45-52 mm | 12-17 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, worldwide (introduced) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Slaty Skimmer
A dark, slate-blue dragonfly of eastern North America. Mature males are uniformly dark blue-black, making them distinctive at ponds.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few North American dragonflies where males are almost entirely dark blue-black.
Common Earwig
Nocturnal omnivore with distinctive forceps-shaped cerci. One of the few non-social insects to show maternal care — females guard and clean their eggs, and feed hatchlings.
Did You Know?
Female earwigs are devoted mothers — they guard their eggs for months, licking them regularly to prevent fungal infection, and continue caring for nymphs after hatching.