Blue-winged Grasshopper vs San Francisco Forktail Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue-winged Grasshopper | San Francisco Forktail Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oedipoda caerulescens | Ischnura gemina |
| Order | Orthoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Acrididae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 15-28mm | 2.5-3 cm |
| Habitat | Underground | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Blue-winged Grasshopper
A well-camouflaged grasshopper that reveals bright blue hindwings when it flies. At rest it blends perfectly with bare ground. The flash of blue startles predators during escape flights.
Did You Know?
The sudden flash of blue wings during flight confuses predators, then it vanishes when it lands and folds them.
San Francisco Forktail Damselfly
A tiny damselfly restricted to a few freshwater ponds near the San Francisco Bay coast. It is threatened by urban encroachment and invasive plants.
Did You Know?
This species is nearly identical to the common Pacific forktail and can only be distinguished by close examination.