Azorean predacious diving beetle vs Common maple aphid

Agabus godmanni compared with Periphyllus testudinaceus

Key Differences

• Azorean predacious diving beetle is Endangered while Common maple aphid is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Azorean predacious diving beetle	Common maple aphid
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (artrópode)	Arthropoda (artrópode)
Class same	Insecta (inseto)	Insecta (inseto)
Order	Coleoptera (besouro)	Hemiptera (Hemiptera)
Family	Dytiscidae	Aphididae
Genus	Agabus	Periphyllus
Species	Agabus godmanni	Periphyllus testudinaceus

Evolutionary Relationship

Azorean predacious diving beetle and Common maple aphid share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (inseto)

Conservation Status

Azorean predacious diving beetle

EN — Endangered

Common maple aphid

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Azorean predacious diving beetle	Common maple aphid
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Azorean predacious diving beetle

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in Portugal. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Common maple aphid

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

Azorean predacious diving beetle

The Azorean predacious diving beetle (Agabus godmanni) is a species in the genus Agabus. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Common maple aphid

<em>Periphyllus testudinaceus</em>, the common maple aphid, is a small sap-sucking insect in the family Aphididae, associated primarily with maple trees of the genus Acer. It is recorded from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. This species has not been formally evaluated for IUCN conservation status. The common maple aphid typically forms colonies on the undersides of maple leaves and along young shoots, feeding on phloem sap and potentially causing leaf curling, discoloration, and reduced tree vigor in heavy infestations. Like many aphid species, it produces honeydew as a metabolic byproduct, which attracts ants that may protect the aphid colonies in exchange. The species exhibits complex life cycles that can involve both sexual and asexual reproduction across seasons. Biological traits including body size, average lifespan, and precise dietary specializations beyond maple sap feeding remain incompletely documented. The common maple aphid is part of the broader community of invertebrates dependent on maple trees across temperate Northern Hemisphere regions.