Southern Damselfly vs Gray Silverfish

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Damselfly Gray Silverfish
Scientific Name Coenagrion mercuriale Ctenolepisma longicaudatum
Order Odonata Zygentoma
Family Coenagrionidae Lepismatidae
Size 27-31 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Meadows Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Africa Europe
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Southern Damselfly

A rare and declining European damselfly with a mercury-symbol-shaped mark on segment two. It is restricted to base-rich shallow streams and water meadows.

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Did You Know?

It is named for the mercury-symbol-shaped black marking on the second segment of the male's abdomen.

Gray Silverfish

An invasive silverfish species spreading rapidly through northern Europe. It is larger and more uniformly gray than the common silverfish.

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Did You Know?

It has become a major household pest in Scandinavia since the 2000s.