Australian Emerald vs Arrowhead Spiketail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Emerald Arrowhead Spiketail
Scientific Name Hemicordulia australiae Cordulegaster obliqua
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Corduliidae Cordulegastridae
Size Body 4-5 cm; wingspan 6-7 cm 70-80 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Australia, New Zealand North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Emerald

A metallic green-eyed dragonfly common near ponds and slow streams across Australia. It hovers sentrylike over water, earning its alternate name of Sentry Dragonfly.

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Did You Know?

It is sometimes called the Sentry Dragonfly because it hovers motionless over water for extended periods.

Arrowhead Spiketail

A large spiketail dragonfly with arrowhead-shaped yellow markings along its dark abdomen. It is found along seepage-fed streams in eastern North American forests.

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Did You Know?

Females can insert eggs directly into hard-packed stream gravel using their spike-like ovipositor.