American Horse Fly vs Australian Emperor Dragonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Horse Fly | Australian Emperor Dragonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tabanus americanus | Anax papuensis |
| Order | Diptera | Odonata |
| Family | Tabanidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | Body 7-8 cm; wingspan 10-11 cm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Eastern and central United States | Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Horse Fly
One of the largest horse flies in North America with a dark brown body and conspicuous green or purple iridescent eyes. Females deliver a painful slashing bite to obtain blood meals.
Did You Know?
Its knife-like mouthparts slice open skin rather than piercing it, which is why horse fly bites bleed so freely.
Australian Emperor Dragonfly
A large, powerful dragonfly with a green thorax and blue-spotted abdomen. It is a strong flier commonly seen patrolling ponds and lakes across Australia.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few dragonfly species to have naturally colonized New Zealand by flying across the Tasman Sea.