Dark Spreadwing vs European otter

Lestes macrostigma compared with Lutra lutra

Key Differences

• Dark Spreadwing is Least Concern while European otter is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dark Spreadwing	European otter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Odonata (Odonata)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Lestidae	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus	Lestes	Lutra (Otters)
Species	Lestes macrostigma	Lutra lutra

Evolutionary Relationship

Dark Spreadwing and European otter share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Dark Spreadwing

LC — Least Concern

European otter

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dark Spreadwing	European otter
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	10 years
Average Length	—	1.0 m
Average Weight	—	10.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dark Spreadwing

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

European otter

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

European otter

Sleek semi-aquatic mustelid found along clean rivers, streams, and coastlines across Europe and Asia. European otters can reach 1.3 meters in length and are highly skilled fish hunters, using sensitive whiskers to detect prey movements. Requiring unpolluted water with abundant fish, they are an indicator species for freshwater ecosystem health. Once nearly extinct in Western Europe from hunting and pollution, populations have recovered significantly following water quality improvements.