Waterlily Leaf Beetle vs Eastern Forktail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Waterlily Leaf Beetle Eastern Forktail
Scientific Name Galerucella nymphaeae Ischnura verticalis
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Chrysomelidae Coenagrionidae
Size 5-7 mm 21-33 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Northern Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Waterlily Leaf Beetle

A small, brown leaf beetle that feeds on the upper surfaces of waterlily pads. It creates distinctive feeding grooves across floating leaves.

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Did You Know?

Although it feeds on aquatic plants, the beetle cannot swim and will drown if it falls off a lily pad into open water.

Eastern Forktail

A small damselfly where males are green and black with a blue tail tip. Young females are bright orange but turn olive-grey with age.

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Did You Know?

Young females are striking bright orange, a color they lose completely as they mature.