Cascade Damselfly vs Painted Skimmer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cascade Damselfly Painted Skimmer
Scientific Name Thaumatoneura inopinata Libellula semifasciata
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Thaumatoneuridae Libellulidae
Size 55-65 mm 40-47 mm
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Central America North America
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Cascade Damselfly

A rare damselfly found only near waterfalls in Central American cloud forests.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae develop on wet rocks behind waterfall spray zones.

Painted Skimmer

An attractive dragonfly with amber-tinted wings marked by brown bands and spots. It is an early-season flier in eastern North America.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the earliest dragonflies to emerge in spring across the eastern United States.