Southern Jumping Bristletail vs Common Darter

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Jumping Bristletail Common Darter
Scientific Name Dilta hibernica Sympetrum striolatum
Order Archaeognatha Odonata
Family Machilidae Libellulidae
Size 10-12 mm 35-44 mm body length
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Portugal Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Northern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Southern Jumping Bristletail

A bristletail found on rocky coasts of western Europe, from Ireland to Portugal. It has large eyes and a distinctively humped thorax.

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Did You Know?

It is most active at night and hides in rock crevices during the day.

Common Darter

Europe's most abundant dragonfly, with mature males turning bright orange-red. It is often the last dragonfly flying in autumn, sometimes into November.

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Did You Know?

Mating pairs lay eggs by repeatedly dipping the female's abdomen into the water while flying in tandem.