Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly vs Eastern Forktail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly | Eastern Forktail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mnais costalis | Ischnura verticalis |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Calopterygidae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 50-65 mm | 21-33 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly
A beautiful damselfly endemic to Japan, known as 'niko-nico-kawatombou.' Males come in two forms: orange-winged territorial males and clear-winged sneaker males. Found along clean forest streams.
Did You Know?
The two male forms represent an evolutionary stable strategy: orange-winged males defend territories while clear-winged males sneak matings by mimicking females.
Eastern Forktail
A small damselfly where males are green and black with a blue tail tip. Young females are bright orange but turn olive-grey with age.
Did You Know?
Young females are striking bright orange, a color they lose completely as they mature.