Red and Blue Damselfly vs Hairy Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red and Blue Damselfly Hairy Dragonfly
Scientific Name Xanthagrion erythroneurum Brachytron pratense
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Coenagrionidae Aeshnidae
Size Body 2.5-3 cm; wingspan 3-4 cm 54-63mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Wetlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Australia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red and Blue Damselfly

A small damselfly where males display striking red and blue coloring. It is one of the most colorful damselflies in Australia.

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Did You Know?

Males are most active in late afternoon, often forming mating swarms over water at dusk.

Hairy Dragonfly

The earliest-emerging hawker dragonfly in Europe, with a distinctively hairy thorax. Males have blue and green markings on a dark body. It flies along ditches and reed-fringed waterways.

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Did You Know?

It emerges up to two months earlier than other hawkers, giving it exclusive access to spring insect prey.