Japanese Red Dragonfly vs Broad-bodied Chaser
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Red Dragonfly | Broad-bodied Chaser |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sympetrum frequens | Libellula depressa |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm | 39-48 mm body length |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Gardens |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Japanese Red Dragonfly
Known as 'akane' or 'aka-tonbo' in Japanese, this red dragonfly is one of the most iconic insects in Japanese culture. Males turn bright red at maturity. Appears in large numbers in autumn.
Did You Know?
Red dragonflies are so symbolically important in Japan that the children's song 'Aka Tombo' (Red Dragonfly) is known by virtually every Japanese person.
Broad-bodied Chaser
A stocky dragonfly with a distinctly flattened, broad abdomen that is powder-blue in males and golden-brown in females. It is often the first dragonfly to colonise new garden ponds.
Did You Know?
It can appear at a new garden pond within days of it being filled with water.