Australian Emperor Dragonfly vs Beautiful Demoiselle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Emperor Dragonfly | Beautiful Demoiselle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anax papuensis | Calopteryx virgo |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Calopterygidae |
| Size | Body 7-8 cm; wingspan 10-11 cm | 50-55 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Beautiful Demoiselle
A stunning damselfly with entirely dark-tinted wings in males and bronze-green wings in females. It prefers faster-flowing, well-oxygenated streams.
Did You Know?
Beautiful demoiselles are indicators of clean water quality, as their larvae can only survive in well-oxygenated, unpolluted streams.