Emperor Dragonfly vs Southern Long-legged Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Emperor Dragonfly | Southern Long-legged Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anax imperator | Chrysotus gramineus |
| Order | Odonata | Diptera |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Dolichopodidae |
| Size | 66-84 mm body, 78 mm wingspan | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Africa, Asia | Europe, Asia, North America |
| 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.
Southern Long-legged Fly
A tiny, brilliantly metallic green long-legged fly commonly found on vegetation near water. It runs rapidly across leaf surfaces hunting for small prey.
Did You Know?
Despite their tiny size, dolichopodid flies are among the most species-rich predatory fly families globally.