Roseate Skimmer vs Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Roseate Skimmer | Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthemis ferruginea | Mnais costalis |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Calopterygidae |
| Size | 45-53mm | 50-65 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, South America | East Asia, Japan |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Roseate Skimmer
A dragonfly where mature males develop a beautiful rosy-pink to violet abdomen. Females are brown with a pale dorsal stripe. It is common in tropical and subtropical wetlands.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few dragonflies in the world that turns genuinely pink, not red or orange.
Japanese Narrow-Winged Damselfly
A beautiful damselfly endemic to Japan, known as 'niko-nico-kawatombou.' Males come in two forms: orange-winged territorial males and clear-winged sneaker males. Found along clean forest streams.
Did You Know?
The two male forms represent an evolutionary stable strategy: orange-winged males defend territories while clear-winged males sneak matings by mimicking females.