Widow Skimmer vs Turk's Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Widow Skimmer | Turk's Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Libellula luctuosa | Cephalota turcica |
| Order | Odonata | Coleoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Cicindelidae |
| Size | 60-68 mm wingspan | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Turkey, Middle East, Central Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Widow Skimmer
A distinctive dragonfly with broad dark wing patches at the base and white bands beyond them in mature males. Females and young males lack the white bands.
Did You Know?
The widow skimmer gets its somber common name from the dark mourning-veil-like patches on the wings of females.
Turk's Tiger Beetle
A distinctive tiger beetle found on saline lake shores and mudflats across Turkey and the Middle East. Its pale markings provide camouflage on white salt crusts.
Did You Know?
It thermoregulates by stilting its body high off the scorching salt flat surface on its long legs.