Striped Whirligig Beetle vs Blue-eyed Darner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Striped Whirligig Beetle Blue-eyed Darner
Scientific Name Gyrinus substriatus Rhionaeschna multicolor
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Gyrinidae Aeshnidae
Size 5-7 mm 60-70mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Europe, Western Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Striped Whirligig Beetle

A small whirligig beetle common across Europe, with fine longitudinal lines on the elytra. It aggregates in large swarms on sheltered pond surfaces.

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Did You Know?

Groups coordinate their circular swimming using ripples on the water surface as communication signals.

Blue-eyed Darner

A large darner dragonfly with striking bright blue eyes and blue spots on a brown body. It is one of the most common large dragonflies in western North America. It hunts in prolonged patrol flights.

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Did You Know?

Its brilliant blue eyes are among the most vivid in the insect world and can be seen from several meters away.