Southern Damselfly vs River Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Damselfly | River Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coenagrion mercuriale | Rheotanytarsus exiguus |
| Order | Odonata | Diptera |
| Family | Coenagrionidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 27-31 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Rivers & Streams |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It is named for the mercury-symbol-shaped black marking on the second segment of the male's abdomen.
River Midge
A small filter-feeding midge that builds silken nets on submerged stones in flowing water. Larvae are among the most abundant invertebrates in clean streams.
Did You Know?
Larvae build tiny fan-shaped silk nets that function like miniature versions of caddisfly catch-nets.