Australian Emperor Dragonfly vs Creeping Water Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Emperor Dragonfly Creeping Water Bug
Scientific Name Anax papuensis Ilyocoris cimicoides
Order Odonata Hemiptera
Family Aeshnidae Naucoridae
Size Body 7-8 cm; wingspan 10-11 cm 12-16 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands Europe
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.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few dragonfly species to have naturally colonized New Zealand by flying across the Tasman Sea.

Creeping Water Bug

A robust aquatic bug that crawls along pond bottoms and delivers a painful bite.

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Did You Know?

Its forelegs are powerfully built raptorial limbs for seizing prey.