Slaty Skimmer vs Lesser Emperor
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Slaty Skimmer | Lesser Emperor |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Libellula incesta | Anax parthenope |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 45-52 mm | 62-75 mm body length |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Southern Europe, Central Europe, Western Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Slaty Skimmer
A dark, slate-blue dragonfly of eastern North America. Mature males are uniformly dark blue-black, making them distinctive at ponds.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few North American dragonflies where males are almost entirely dark blue-black.
Lesser Emperor
A large dragonfly with a brownish thorax and distinctive blue saddle at the base of its abdomen. It is a strong migrant expanding northward through Europe.
Did You Know?
Females lay eggs while flying in tandem with the male over open water.