Provence Short-tailed Blue vs Emperor Dragonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Provence Short-tailed Blue | Emperor Dragonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cupido alcetas | Anax imperator |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm wingspan | 66-84 mm body, 78 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Central and southern Europe | Europe, Africa, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Provence Short-tailed Blue
One of Europe's smallest butterflies with violet-blue males and dark brown females. It lacks the tail projection of its close relative the short-tailed blue.
Did You Know?
Males gather in large puddle clubs on damp ground to drink mineral-rich water.
Emperor Dragonfly
One of the largest dragonflies in Europe. Powerful flier that patrols territories along waterways. Can fly at speeds up to 54 km/h and catch prey mid-flight with near-perfect accuracy.
Did You Know?
Emperor dragonflies have a prey capture success rate of 95% — the highest of any predator on Earth. Lions succeed only 25% of the time.