African Blue Emperor vs Yellow-winged Darter

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Blue Emperor Yellow-winged Darter
Scientific Name Anax speratus Sympetrum flaveolum
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Aeshnidae Libellulidae
Size 65-78 mm 32-37 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Wetlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa Europe, Asia
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.

Yellow-winged Darter

A medium-sized darter with extensive saffron-yellow patches at the base of all four wings. Males are red-bodied while females are yellowish.

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Did You Know?

It breeds in temporary flood meadows and is a strong migrant that appears in large numbers in good years.