White-legged Damselfly vs Snow Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | White-legged Damselfly | Snow Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platycnemis pennipes | Boreus hyemalis |
| Order | Odonata | Mecoptera |
| Family | Platycnemididae | Boreidae |
| Size | 32-37 mm body length | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
White-legged Damselfly
A pale, delicate damselfly with distinctively flattened white legs that the male waves during courtship displays. It prefers slow-flowing rivers and canals.
Did You Know?
Males display their expanded white legs like flags to attract females during courtship.
Snow Scorpionfly
A tiny wingless scorpionfly active in winter, walking on snow near mossy habitats. Its vestigial wings are reduced to hook-like structures used during mating.
Did You Know?
Snow scorpionflies are most active at temperatures near freezing and can sometimes be found by the hundreds walking across snow-covered moss.