Japanese Red Dragonfly vs Graphic Flutterer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Red Dragonfly Graphic Flutterer
Scientific Name Sympetrum frequens Rhyothemis graphiptera
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Libellulidae Libellulidae
Size 35-45 mm Body 3-4 cm; wingspan 6-7 cm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Wetlands
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions East Asia, Japan Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia
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.

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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.

Graphic Flutterer

A stunning dragonfly with dark patterned wings that give it a butterfly-like appearance in flight. It flies with a distinctive slow, fluttering motion over tropical wetlands.

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Did You Know?

Its slow, fluttery flight is thought to mimic distasteful butterfly species as a form of protective mimicry.