Ruddy Darter vs Black-winged Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ruddy Darter | Black-winged Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sympetrum sanguineum | Calopteryx atrata |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Calopterygidae |
| Size | 34-39mm | 55-68mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ruddy Darter
A small dragonfly where mature males turn deep blood-red with a distinctly club-shaped abdomen. Females remain golden-yellow. It has entirely black legs unlike similar species.
Did You Know?
Pairs mate in flight, forming a heart-shaped wheel, then the female flicks eggs onto water while still attached to the male.
Black-winged Damselfly
A large damselfly where males have entirely black iridescent wings with a metallic blue-green body. Females have dark smoky-brown wings. It inhabits clean streams in East Asia.
Did You Know?
In Japan it is called 'haguro-tonbo' (black-winged dragonfly) and is considered a symbol of good fortune.