Dance Fly with Feathered Legs vs Swamp Darner
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dance Fly with Feathered Legs | Swamp Darner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhamphomyia sulcata | Austroaeschna parvistigma |
| Order | Diptera | Odonata |
| Family | Empididae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | Body 5-6 cm; wingspan 7-8 cm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dance Fly with Feathered Legs
A small dance fly where females have distinctive feathered or pennate leg scales used to attract males. Females inflate their abdomen to appear larger during swarming displays.
Did You Know?
In a rare reversal, females are the ornamented sex, using feathered legs and inflated abdomens to compete for males.
Swamp Darner
A medium-sized brown and blue darner dragonfly found along shaded creeks in southeastern Australia. It has small stigmata on the wings, giving it its scientific name.
Did You Know?
Males patrol low along creeks in deep shade, a behavior unusual among dragonflies that typically prefer sun.