Common Bluetail vs Red Locust

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Bluetail Red Locust
Scientific Name Ischnura elegans Nomadacris septemfasciata
Order Odonata Orthoptera
Family Coenagrionidae Acrididae
Size 27-35 mm 50-70 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia Southern Africa, Central Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Bluetail

A small damselfly with a distinctive blue tail-light on segment eight of the abdomen. Females occur in multiple color forms including violet, green, and brown.

💡

Did You Know?

Females exist in at least five distinct color forms, a level of polymorphism rare among damselflies.

Red Locust

A large brown and red locust that swarms periodically from outbreak areas in Central and Southern Africa. It has distinctive red hindwings visible in flight.

💡

Did You Know?

The International Red Locust Control Organization was created specifically to monitor and prevent outbreaks of this species.