Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly vs Helicopter Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly Helicopter Dragonfly
Scientific Name Megalagrion nesiotes Mecistogaster linearis
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Coenagrionidae Pseudostigmatidae
Size 25-32 mm 80 mm body, 100 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Oceania (Hawaii - Oahu) Central America, South America
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.

Helicopter Dragonfly

A forest giant damselfly that plucks spiders from their webs while hovering.

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Did You Know?

Females oviposit into water-filled bromeliads and tree holes in the canopy.