San Francisco Forktail Damselfly vs Ghost Darner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute San Francisco Forktail Damselfly Ghost Darner
Scientific Name Ischnura gemina Anax longipes
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Coenagrionidae Aeshnidae
Size 2.5-3 cm 73-80 mm
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.

Ghost Darner

A large green-eyed dragonfly with a distinctively long reddish-brown abdomen.

💡

Did You Know?

Males patrol over water with a conspicuous undulating flight pattern.