Long-tailed Dance Fly vs Scarlet Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-tailed Dance Fly | Scarlet Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhamphomyia longicauda | Crocothemis erythraea |
| Order | Diptera | Odonata |
| Family | Empididae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 5-8mm | 52-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Africa, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Long-tailed Dance Fly
A small dark fly where females inflate their legs with air to appear larger during mating swarms. Males present nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
Females inflate their legs with air bubbles to look larger and more impressive to choosy males in mating swarms.
Scarlet Skimmer
A medium-sized dragonfly where males are entirely vivid scarlet red, including the veins of the wings. It is one of the most recognizable dragonflies in the Old World.
Did You Know?
The scarlet skimmer has been expanding rapidly into northern Europe, establishing breeding populations in countries where it was previously unknown.