Giant Petaltail Dragonfly vs Azure Damselfly of Azores
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Petaltail Dragonfly | Azure Damselfly of Azores |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Petalura ingentissima | Ischnura hastata |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Petaluridae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 85 mm body, 125 mm wingspan | 2.5-3 cm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Oceania | Portugal |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
Giant Petaltail Dragonfly
Australias largest dragonfly and one of the most primitive living species, belonging to a family dating back to the Jurassic period. Larvae live in swamp burrows for years.
Did You Know?
This dragonfly is a living fossil — its family dates back 150 million years to the Jurassic, and larvae dig burrows in swamps where they may live for over a decade.
Azure Damselfly of Azores
On the Azores, this species has evolved the only known all-female population of any odonate. These females reproduce through parthenogenesis.
Did You Know?
The Azores population is entirely female and reproduces without mating, a phenomenon unique among dragonflies and damselflies.