San Francisco Forktail Damselfly vs European Amazon Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute San Francisco Forktail Damselfly European Amazon Ant
Scientific Name Ischnura gemina Polyergus rufescens
Order Odonata Hymenoptera
Family Coenagrionidae Formicidae
Size 2.5-3 cm 6-7 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Meadows
Diet Predators Predators
Regions United States Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Endangered Not Evaluated

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.

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Did You Know?

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

European Amazon Ant

An obligate slave-making ant that raids colonies of Formica ants to steal pupae. The kidnapped workers then perform all domestic duties for the Polyergus colony.

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Did You Know?

Their sickle-shaped mandibles are so specialized for fighting that they cannot feed themselves or care for their own brood.