Japanese Red Dragonfly vs Macrosoma lucivittata

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Red Dragonfly Macrosoma lucivittata
Scientific Name Sympetrum frequens Macrosoma lucivittata
Order Odonata Lepidoptera
Family Libellulidae Hedylidae
Size 35-45 mm 32-42 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions East Asia, Japan Central America, South America
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.

Macrosoma lucivittata

Moth-butterfly with pale wings bearing a translucent vitreous stripe. One of the more distinctive hedylid species.

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Did You Know?

The glass-like wing stripe may function in crypsis by breaking up the wing outline at night.