Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly vs Water Measurer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly Water Measurer
Scientific Name Phaon iridipennis Hydrometra australis
Order Odonata Hemiptera
Family Calopterygidae Hydrometridae
Size 40-50 mm body length 8-11 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda) Americas, from southern United States to South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Water Measurer

A very slender, elongate semi-aquatic bug that walks slowly on water surfaces in the Americas. Its head is exceptionally long and narrow with a small rostrum at the tip. It moves with slow, deliberate steps along pond margins.

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Did You Know?

It is so lightweight that it can walk on the water surface without breaking the surface tension, leaving no visible dimples where its feet contact the water.