Congo Basin Dragonfly vs Eastern Forktail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Congo Basin Dragonfly | Eastern Forktail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Palpopleura lucia | Ischnura verticalis |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm body length | 21-33 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | West and Central Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, DRC, Senegal, Ivory Coast) | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Congo Basin Dragonfly
A small but strikingly colored dragonfly with a broad, flattened abdomen. Males are bright blue with black wing markings while females are yellow and brown. It is one of the most abundant dragonflies in West African wetlands.
Did You Know?
Males are highly territorial and will chase away any other dragonfly that enters their small waterside territory.
Eastern Forktail
A small damselfly where males are green and black with a blue tail tip. Young females are bright orange but turn olive-grey with age.
Did You Know?
Young females are striking bright orange, a color they lose completely as they mature.