Common Green Darner vs small tortoiseshell

Anax junius compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

  • Common Green Darner is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Common Green Darner small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same Arthropoda (Arthropods) Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same Insecta (Insects) Insecta (Insects)
Order Odonata (Odonata) Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family Aeshnidae Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus Anax Aglais
Species Anax junius Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Green Darner and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Common Green Darner

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Common Green Darner small tortoiseshell
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Green Darner

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in United States.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Common Green Darner

<em>Anax junius</em>, commonly known as the common green darner, is a large dragonfly belonging to the genus Anax within the family Aeshnidae. This species occupies virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats, and its range is centered on the United States, where it is one of the most recognizable and widespread dragonfly species. Common green darner is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The species is well known for undertaking long-distance migrations, with populations moving southward in autumn and northward in spring across North America. Adults are typically found near ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams where females deposit eggs in aquatic vegetation. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

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