Sinuate-winged Damselfly vs Christmas Island Blue Crab Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sinuate-winged Damselfly Christmas Island Blue Crab Fly
Scientific Name Tatocnemis sinuatipennis Paramyia nitens
Order Odonata Diptera
Family Platycnemididae Phoridae
Size 35-42 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Madagascar Christmas Island
Conservation Data Deficient Not Evaluated

Sinuate-winged Damselfly

An endemic damselfly with distinctively sinuate or wavy-edged wings, a feature unique among Malagasy odonates. Males have a metallic green thorax and pale blue abdomen.

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Did You Know?

The unusual wavy wing shape is found in no other damselfly genus, making Tatocnemis instantly recognizable in the field.

Christmas Island Blue Crab Fly

A tiny fly found on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean associated with red crab migrations. It lays eggs on injured or dead crabs.

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Did You Know?

During the annual red crab migration, these flies congregate in vast swarms along forest trails.