Petaltail Dragonfly vs Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Petaltail Dragonfly Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly
Scientific Name Tachopteryx thoreyi Phaon iridipennis
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Petaluridae Calopterygidae
Size 70-80 mm 40-50 mm body length
Habitat Indoors Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions North America East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Emerald-spotted Flatwing Damselfly

A stunning damselfly with metallic green and blue body and broad, iridescent wings with emerald spots. Males display by opening and closing their wings to attract females along streams.

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Did You Know?

Males perform elaborate courtship displays, hovering in front of females while slowly fanning their iridescent wings to catch the sunlight.