Variable Damselfly vs White-faced Darter
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Variable Damselfly | White-faced Darter |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coenagrion pulchellum | Leucorrhinia dubia |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Coenagrionidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 33-35mm | 33-37mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Near Threatened |
Variable Damselfly
A blue damselfly with highly variable black markings, making identification challenging. Males have a distinctive mercury or wine-glass shaped mark on the second abdominal segment. It favors sheltered waters.
Did You Know?
Its abdominal markings are so variable that no two individuals are exactly alike, earning it its common name.
White-faced Darter
A small dragonfly with a distinctive white face and red markings on a dark body. It is a specialist of acidic bog pools with Sphagnum moss. Males hover over pools displaying their white face.
Did You Know?
It is so dependent on intact peatland bogs that its presence indicates a healthy, undrained peat ecosystem.