Blue Dasher vs Scarce Chaser
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Dasher | Scarce Chaser |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachydiplax longipennis | Libellula fulva |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 52-58 mm wingspan | 55-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Dasher
A medium-sized dragonfly with a powdery blue abdomen and metallic green eyes in males. It is one of the most common dragonflies in North America.
Did You Know?
Blue dashers adopt a distinctive obelisk posture in hot weather, pointing their abdomen straight up at the sun to minimize heat absorption.
Scarce Chaser
A medium-sized dragonfly where mature males develop a powdery blue abdomen. It is associated with clean, slow-flowing rivers with abundant marginal vegetation.
Did You Know?
Despite its name, the scarce chaser has become increasingly common in parts of Europe as water quality in rivers has improved.