Japanese Red Dragonfly vs Petaltail Dragonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Red Dragonfly | Petaltail Dragonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sympetrum frequens | Tachopteryx thoreyi |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Petaluridae |
| Size | 35-45 mm | 70-80 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Indoors |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | North 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.
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.
Petaltail Dragonfly
A primitive dragonfly that perches on tree trunks and has bog-dwelling larvae.
Did You Know?
It belongs to one of the most ancient dragonfly families, largely unchanged for 150 million years.