Golden-Ringed Dragonfly vs Norfolk Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden-Ringed Dragonfly Norfolk Damselfly
Scientific Name Cordulegaster boltonii Coenagrion armatum
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Cordulegastridae Coenagrionidae
Size 76-84 mm wingspan 28-32 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Wetlands
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Golden-Ringed Dragonfly

The longest dragonfly in Britain, adorned with bold black and yellow rings along its body. Females have a conspicuous ovipositor used to inject eggs into stream beds.

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Did You Know?

The larvae of golden-ringed dragonflies live buried in stream sediment for up to five years before emerging as adults, ambushing prey from their sandy hideouts.

Norfolk Damselfly

A critically rare damselfly once found in the Norfolk Broads of England, now extinct in Britain. Small populations persist in Scandinavia and eastern Europe.

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Did You Know?

It went extinct in Britain in the 1950s and has not been seen there since despite extensive surveys.