Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly vs Small Red Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly Small Red Damselfly
Scientific Name Phaon iridipennis Ceriagrion tenellum
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Calopterygidae Coenagrionidae
Size 40-50 mm body length 25-35mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Underground
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda) Europe, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly

A stunning damselfly with metallic green and blue body and broad, iridescent wings with emerald spots. Males display by opening and closing their wings to attract females along streams.

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Did You Know?

Males perform elaborate courtship displays, hovering in front of females while slowly fanning their iridescent wings to catch the sunlight.

Small Red Damselfly

A delicate damselfly where males are almost entirely red, a rare color for damselflies. Females come in several color forms. It is a weak flier that stays close to waterside vegetation.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the only genuinely red damselflies in Europe, with males displaying a vivid scarlet color.