Congo Basin Dragonfly vs Petaltail Dragonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Congo Basin Dragonfly | Petaltail Dragonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Palpopleura lucia | Tachopteryx thoreyi |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Petaluridae |
| Size | 25-35 mm body length | 70-80 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Indoors |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| 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.
Petaltail Dragonfly
A primitive dragonfly that perches on tree trunks and has bog-dwelling larvae.
Did You Know?
It belongs to one of the most ancient dragonfly families, largely unchanged for 150 million years.