Japanese Antlion vs Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Antlion Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly
Scientific Name Hagenomyia micans Ischnura pumilio
Order Neuroptera Odonata
Family Myrmeleontidae Coenagrionidae
Size 60-80 mm wingspan 26-31 mm body length
Habitat Rivers & Streams Wetlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Japan, Korea, Eastern China Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Antlion

A large East Asian antlion with glossy wings and a robust body. A familiar summer insect across Japan attracted to artificial lights.

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Did You Know?

In Japanese folklore, antlion larvae are called 'arijigoku' meaning 'ant hell.'

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.

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Did You Know?

It specialises in colonising new and temporary water bodies that other dragonflies avoid.