Small Pincertail
(Onychogomphus forcipatus)

• Lays eggs directly into the water.

• Does not breathe through its tail.

• TRUTH: Lives underwater during their long larval stage of 3 to 5 years.

Why This Tiny Insect Matters

The Small Pincertail shows that some of the most fascinating parts of an insect’s life happen where we rarely look. Although the adult dragonfly is what we notice above the water, most of its life is spent below the surface. It reminds us that rivers and streams hold hidden worlds full of quiet transformation.

Meet the Small Pincertail

• Conservation status: Has not been evaluated

• Endemic: No

• Habitat: Clean rivers, streams, and freshwater habitats across parts of Europe

• Ecological role: Predator of small aquatic animals as a larva and flying insects as an adult

• Lifespan: Spends most of its life in the larval stage underwater before emerging as an adult

• Fun fact: Dragonfly larvae live underwater for much longer than the adults live in the air.

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