Richmond Birdwing vs Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Richmond Birdwing Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly
Scientific Name Ornithoptera richmondia Megalagrion nesiotes
Order Lepidoptera Odonata
Family Papilionidae Coenagrionidae
Size 11-13 cm wingspan 25-32 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Australia Oceania (Hawaii - Oahu)
Conservation Vulnerable Endangered

Richmond Birdwing

A large subtropical birdwing butterfly with green and black males and brown females. It is threatened by habitat loss and a toxic introduced vine.

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Did You Know?

Larvae that accidentally feed on the invasive Dutchman's pipe vine are poisoned and die.

Flying Earwig Hawaiian Damselfly

An endemic Hawaiian damselfly found in wet forests, notable for breeding in water-filled leaf axils of native plants rather than streams. It is a small, delicate species. The terrestrial breeding habit is unique among Hawaiian damselflies.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most damselflies, this species lays its eggs in the tiny pools of water that collect in the leaf bases of plants, bypassing the need for streams entirely.