Lesser Emperor vs Forest Darner
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Emperor | Forest Darner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anax parthenope | Austroaeschna pulchra |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 62-75 mm body length | Body 5-6 cm; wingspan 7-9 cm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Southern Europe, Central Europe, Western Europe | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Lesser Emperor
A large dragonfly with a brownish thorax and distinctive blue saddle at the base of its abdomen. It is a strong migrant expanding northward through Europe.
Did You Know?
Females lay eggs while flying in tandem with the male over open water.
Forest Darner
A handsome darner dragonfly with blue and brown markings found in temperate forests of eastern Australia. It flies along sunlit gaps in the forest canopy.
Did You Know?
Its genus name Austroaeschna means 'southern darner', reflecting its distribution in temperate Australia.