Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly vs Scarlet Percher
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly | Scarlet Percher |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mnais costalis | Diplacodes haematodes |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Calopterygidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 50-65 mm | Body 3-4 cm; wingspan 5-6 cm |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | Australia, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands |
| 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.
Scarlet Percher
A brilliant scarlet-red dragonfly found across northern and inland Australia. Males are among the most vividly colored dragonflies on the continent.
Did You Know?
It is a nomadic species that rapidly colonizes temporary pools formed after heavy rain in arid regions.