Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly vs Black-winged Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly Black-winged Damselfly
Scientific Name Megalagrion nesiotes Calopteryx atrata
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Coenagrionidae Calopterygidae
Size 25-32 mm 55-68mm
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Oceania (Hawaii - Oahu) Asia
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly

An endemic Hawaiian damselfly found in wet forests, notable for breeding in water-filled leaf axils of native plants rather than streams. It is a small, delicate species. The terrestrial breeding habit is unique among Hawaiian damselflies.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most damselflies, this species lays its eggs in the tiny pools of water that collect in the leaf bases of plants, bypassing the need for streams entirely.

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.