New Zealand Blue Damselfly vs Mole Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Blue Damselfly | Mole Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Austrolestes colensonis | Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa |
| Order | Odonata | Orthoptera |
| Family | Lestidae | Gryllotalpidae |
| Size | 35-42 mm | 35-46 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
New Zealand Blue Damselfly
New Zealand's most common damselfly, with striking blue and black colouration in males. It is found near ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams throughout the country. This species is remarkably cold-tolerant for a damselfly.
Did You Know?
This damselfly can remain active in temperatures as low as 8 degrees Celsius, unusual for an odonate and an adaptation to New Zealand's cool climate.
Mole Cricket
Extraordinary burrowers with powerful shovel-like forelegs adapted for digging. Males construct horn-shaped burrows that amplify their mating calls up to 600 meters.
Did You Know?
Mole crickets build double-exponential horn-shaped burrows that act as acoustic amplifiers, broadcasting their mating calls at 90 dB — audible from 600 meters away.