Downy Emerald vs Black-winged Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Downy Emerald Black-winged Damselfly
Scientific Name Cordulia aenea Calopteryx atrata
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Corduliidae Calopterygidae
Size 47-53mm 55-68mm
Habitat Woodlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Asia Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Downy Emerald

A metallic green dragonfly with a distinctive downy thorax covered in fine golden hairs. Males patrol tirelessly along woodland lake edges. Its bright green eyes are a key identification feature.

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Did You Know?

Males patrol relentlessly along a fixed beat at the water's edge, often for hours without stopping.

Black-winged Damselfly

A large damselfly where males have entirely black iridescent wings with a metallic blue-green body. Females have dark smoky-brown wings. It inhabits clean streams in East Asia.

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Did You Know?

In Japan it is called 'haguro-tonbo' (black-winged dragonfly) and is considered a symbol of good fortune.