Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly vs Oriental Demoiselle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly | Oriental Demoiselle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mnais costalis | Calopteryx cornelia |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Calopterygidae | Calopterygidae |
| Size | 50-65 mm | 50-58 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | Asia |
| 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.
Oriental Demoiselle
A Japanese demoiselle with shimmering blue-black wings and a metallic green body. It is endemic to Japan's clean mountain streams.
Did You Know?
It is endemic to Japan and is considered an indicator species for clean mountain water quality.