Relict Himalayan Dragonfly vs Cederberg Heelwalker

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Relict Himalayan Dragonfly Cederberg Heelwalker
Scientific Name Epiophlebia laidlawi Austrophasma cederbergense
Order Odonata Mantophasmatodea
Family Epiophlebiidae Austrophasmatidae
Size 5-6 cm 15-22 mm
Habitat Mountains Heathland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions India, Nepal, Bhutan Southern Africa, South Africa
Conservation Endangered Data Deficient

Relict Himalayan Dragonfly

A living fossil dragonfly from the Himalayas that retains features of both dragonflies and damselflies. It breeds in cold mountain streams above 1800 m.

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Did You Know?

Its family dates back to the Jurassic period, making it one of the most primitive living dragonflies.

Cederberg Heelwalker

A predatory heelwalker found in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa. It is greenish-brown and well-camouflaged among fynbos shrubs.

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Did You Know?

Females eat the male after mating, similar to praying mantises, despite being in an entirely different order.