Paddle-tailed Darner vs Common Clubtail Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Paddle-tailed Darner Common Clubtail Dragonfly
Scientific Name Aeshna palmata Ictinogomphus ferox
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Aeshnidae Gomphidae
Size 65-75 mm 55-65 mm body length
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions North America East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Paddle-tailed Darner

A large, boldly marked darner of western North America with distinctive paddle-shaped cerci. Males have bright blue and green abdominal spots.

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Did You Know?

Its uniquely flattened, paddle-shaped cerci are unlike those of any other North American darner.

Common Clubtail Dragonfly

A large, boldly marked black and yellow dragonfly with a distinctly clubbed abdomen tip. It is a powerful flier that perches prominently on vegetation overlooking water.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most voracious aerial predators among East African dragonflies, often catching prey nearly as large as itself.