Neon Skimmer vs San Francisco Forktail Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neon Skimmer San Francisco Forktail Damselfly
Scientific Name Libellula croceipennis Ischnura gemina
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Libellulidae Coenagrionidae
Size 48-55 mm 2.5-3 cm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions North America United States
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Neon Skimmer

A brilliantly red dragonfly of the American Southwest with amber-tinted wings. Males are an intense fluorescent red that seems to glow in sunlight.

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Did You Know?

Its neon-red coloring is so vivid that it appears to fluoresce in bright sunlight.

San Francisco Forktail Damselfly

A tiny damselfly restricted to a few freshwater ponds near the San Francisco Bay coast. It is threatened by urban encroachment and invasive plants.

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Did You Know?

This species is nearly identical to the common Pacific forktail and can only be distinguished by close examination.