Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly vs Scarlet Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly | Scarlet Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mnais costalis | Crocothemis erythraea |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Calopterygidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 50-65 mm | 52-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | Europe, Africa, 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.
Scarlet Skimmer
A medium-sized dragonfly where males are entirely vivid scarlet red, including the veins of the wings. It is one of the most recognizable dragonflies in the Old World.
Did You Know?
The scarlet skimmer has been expanding rapidly into northern Europe, establishing breeding populations in countries where it was previously unknown.