Emperor Dragonfly vs Banded Demoiselle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Emperor Dragonfly | Banded Demoiselle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anax imperator | Calopteryx splendens |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Calopterygidae |
| Size | 66-84 mm body, 78 mm wingspan | 45-48 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Africa, Asia | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Emperor Dragonfly
One of the largest dragonflies in Europe. Powerful flier that patrols territories along waterways. Can fly at speeds up to 54 km/h and catch prey mid-flight with near-perfect accuracy.
Did You Know?
Emperor dragonflies have a prey capture success rate of 95% — the highest of any predator on Earth. Lions succeed only 25% of the time.
Banded Demoiselle
A striking damselfly with metallic blue-green body and distinctive dark wing patches in males. It frequents slow-flowing rivers and streams across Europe.
Did You Know?
Males perform an elaborate fluttering courtship display flight, hovering in front of females to show off their iridescent wing patches.