Giant Petaltail Dragonfly vs Scarce Chaser
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Petaltail Dragonfly | Scarce Chaser |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Petalura ingentissima | Libellula fulva |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Petaluridae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 85 mm body, 125 mm wingspan | 55-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Europe |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
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.
Scarce Chaser
A medium-sized dragonfly where mature males develop a powdery blue abdomen. It is associated with clean, slow-flowing rivers with abundant marginal vegetation.
Did You Know?
Despite its name, the scarce chaser has become increasingly common in parts of Europe as water quality in rivers has improved.