San Francisco Forktail Damselfly vs Banded Pennant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute San Francisco Forktail Damselfly Banded Pennant
Scientific Name Ischnura gemina Celithemis fasciata
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Coenagrionidae Libellulidae
Size 2.5-3 cm 35-40mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions United States North America
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

San Francisco Forktail Damselfly

A tiny damselfly restricted to a few freshwater ponds near the San Francisco Bay coast. It is threatened by urban encroachment and invasive plants.

💡

Did You Know?

This species is nearly identical to the common Pacific forktail and can only be distinguished by close examination.

Banded Pennant

A medium-sized dragonfly with bold dark bands across all four wings. Its body is dark with reddish markings. It perches prominently on the tips of twigs near water.

💡

Did You Know?

It perches at the very tips of twigs, looking like a tiny flag waving in the wind.