Black-winged Damselfly vs Violet Dropwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black-winged Damselfly Violet Dropwing
Scientific Name Calopteryx atrata Trithemis annulata
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Calopterygidae Libellulidae
Size 55-68mm 32-38 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Asia Africa, Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black-winged Damselfly

A large damselfly where males have entirely black iridescent wings with a metallic blue-green body. Females have dark smoky-brown wings. It inhabits clean streams in East Asia.

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Did You Know?

In Japan it is called 'haguro-tonbo' (black-winged dragonfly) and is considered a symbol of good fortune.

Violet Dropwing

A stunning dragonfly where mature males turn deep violet-purple with red wing veins. It is expanding its range northward into southern Europe.

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Did You Know?

It has colonized southern Europe from Africa and continues to spread north as temperatures warm.