Twelve-Spotted Skimmer vs Giant Japygid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Twelve-Spotted Skimmer Giant Japygid
Scientific Name Libellula pulchella Metajapyx subterraneus
Order Odonata Diplura
Family Libellulidae Japygidae
Size 65-75 mm wingspan 10-20 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Caves
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer

A showy dragonfly with three dark spots on each wing, totaling twelve. Mature males develop additional white spots between the dark ones.

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Did You Know?

Despite the name twelve-spotted, mature males actually have 24 wing markings when the white pruinose spots are included.

Giant Japygid

One of the larger diplurans, found in deep soil and caves in southern Europe. It is a voracious predator of other soil invertebrates.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few diplurans large enough to be visible to the naked eye without magnification.