Congo Basin Dragonfly vs Western Spruce Budworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Congo Basin Dragonfly | Western Spruce Budworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Palpopleura lucia | Choristoneura occidentalis |
| Order | Odonata | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Tortricidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm body length | 22-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | West and Central Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, DRC, Senegal, Ivory Coast) | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Western Spruce Budworm
A major defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western North America. Repeated defoliation leads to growth loss and tree mortality.
Did You Know?
Fire suppression has increased susceptibility of western forests to budworm outbreaks.