Common Hooktail vs Common Roller

Paragomphus genei compared with Ancylis badiana

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Hooktail	Common Roller
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	Gomphidae	Tortricidae
Genus	Paragomphus	Ancylis
Species	Paragomphus genei	Ancylis badiana

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Hooktail and Common Roller share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Common Hooktail

LC — Least Concern

Common Roller

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Hooktail	Common Roller
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Hooktail

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Common Roller

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Hooktail

<em>Paragomphus genei</em>, commonly known as the common hooktail, is a dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, suggesting a stable and widespread population. The species is noted to occupy virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats within its range, reflecting considerable ecological generalism typical of many gomphid dragonflies. Specific country-level distribution records for this species are not detailed in current data, though the breadth of habitat use implies a relatively wide geographic range across suitable regions. Diet information for this species is not available in current records. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Common Roller

<em>Ancylis badiana</em>, the common roller, is a small moth in the family Tortricidae, order Lepidoptera. It is distributed across northwestern Europe, with documented records from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, typically inhabiting woodland margins, hedgerows, scrubland, and areas where its larval host plants are abundant. The species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Tortricid moths in the genus Ancylis are commonly known as "rollers" or "leafrollers" because their larvae typically roll or fold leaves of host plants to create sheltered feeding structures. <em>Ancylis badiana</em> larvae feed on the foliage of various herbaceous plants, particularly species in the pea family (Fabaceae). Adults are small moths with intricately patterned wings that provide camouflage against bark and plant material. Adult moths are primarily nocturnal and are attracted to light, while larvae are cryptic within their leaf shelters. Biological traits such as lifespan, body measurements, and detailed diet host range remain poorly documented beyond general family-level characteristics. The species typically completes one to two generations per year in temperate European climates, overwintering as pupae. It is considered a minor component of invertebrate biodiversity in European lowland habitats.