Giant Petaltail vs Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Petaltail | Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Petalura gigantea | Ischnura pumilio |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Petaluridae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 100-110 mm wingspan | 26-31 mm body length |
| Habitat | Underground | Wetlands |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Petaltail
One of the largest dragonflies in Australia and a living fossil belonging to the most ancient dragonfly family. Its larvae live in boggy ground rather than open water.
Did You Know?
Giant petaltails belong to the family Petaluridae, which has fossil records dating back over 150 million years, making them living fossils among dragonflies.
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly
One of Europe's smallest damselflies, with a black body and a single blue segment near the tail tip. Females come in a remarkable variety of colour forms.
Did You Know?
It specialises in colonising new and temporary water bodies that other dragonflies avoid.