Petaltail Dragonfly vs Blackburn's Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Petaltail Dragonfly Blackburn's Damselfly
Scientific Name Tachopteryx thoreyi Megalagrion blackburni
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Petaluridae Coenagrionidae
Size 70-80 mm 30-40 mm
Habitat Indoors Forests
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions North America Oceania (Hawaii)
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Petaltail Dragonfly

A primitive dragonfly that perches on tree trunks and has bog-dwelling larvae.

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Did You Know?

It belongs to one of the most ancient dragonfly families, largely unchanged for 150 million years.

Blackburn's Damselfly

A Hawaiian endemic damselfly historically found on multiple islands but now restricted to a few locations. It breeds in streams and seeps in native forests. It is one of the most threatened members of the remarkable Megalagrion radiation.

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Did You Know?

Hawaiian Megalagrion damselflies have evolved to breed in an extraordinary range of habitats, from streams to tree holes to damp leaf litter.