African Blue Emperor vs Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Blue Emperor Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly
Scientific Name Anax speratus Phaon iridipennis
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Aeshnidae Calopterygidae
Size 65-78 mm 40-50 mm body length
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Blue Emperor

A large, powerful dragonfly widespread across sub-Saharan Africa. Males have a bright blue abdomen and green thorax similar to the European emperor.

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Did You Know?

It is Africa's ecological equivalent of the European Blue Emperor, filling the same niche.

Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly

A stunning damselfly with metallic green and blue body and broad, iridescent wings with emerald spots. Males display by opening and closing their wings to attract females along streams.

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Did You Know?

Males perform elaborate courtship displays, hovering in front of females while slowly fanning their iridescent wings to catch the sunlight.