Japanese Emperor Dragonfly vs Cascade Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Emperor Dragonfly Cascade Damselfly
Scientific Name Anax parthenope julius Thaumatoneura inopinata
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Aeshnidae Thaumatoneuridae
Size 70-80 mm body length 55-65 mm
Habitat Wetlands Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions East Asia, Japan/Korea Central America
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Japanese Emperor Dragonfly

A large hawker dragonfly and one of the most powerful aerial predators in Japanese wetlands. Known as 'gin-yanma' for its silvery-blue markings. Males patrol territories aggressively over ponds.

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Did You Know?

This dragonfly can fly at speeds exceeding 30 km/h and catch prey in mid-air using its legs as a basket-like scoop.

Cascade Damselfly

A rare damselfly found only near waterfalls in Central American cloud forests.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae develop on wet rocks behind waterfall spray zones.