Twin-spotted Spiketail vs Southern Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Twin-spotted Spiketail | Southern Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cordulegaster maculata | Coenagrion mercuriale |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Cordulegastridae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 68-78 mm | 27-31 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Meadows |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Twin-spotted Spiketail
A large, dark brown spiketail with paired yellow spots on each abdominal segment. It is the most common spiketail in eastern North America.
Did You Know?
Its larvae lie partially buried in stream-bottom leaf litter and ambush passing prey.
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.