Japanese Red Dragonfly vs Emerald Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Red Dragonfly Emerald Cockroach
Scientific Name Sympetrum frequens Pseudoglomeris magnifica
Order Odonata Blattodea
Family Libellulidae Blaberidae
Size 35-45 mm 20-25mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions East Asia, Japan Asia
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

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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.

Emerald Cockroach

A stunning cockroach with brilliant metallic emerald-green coloring. It is one of the most beautiful cockroach species in the world. It rolls into a ball like a pill bug when threatened.

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Did You Know?

It can curl into a perfect ball like an armadillo, and its emerald green sheen rivals the beauty of any jewel beetle.