Smoky Rubyspot vs Emperor Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Smoky Rubyspot Emperor Dragonfly
Scientific Name Hetaerina titia Anax imperator
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Calopterygidae Aeshnidae
Size 38-48 mm 66-84 mm body, 78 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America, Central America Europe, Africa, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Smoky Rubyspot

A damselfly with dark smoky wings and amber-red basal patches in males. It is found along forested streams in the eastern United States and Mexico.

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Did You Know?

Its wings are much darker and smokier than those of its relative, the American Rubyspot.

Emperor Dragonfly

One of the largest dragonflies in Europe. Powerful flier that patrols territories along waterways. Can fly at speeds up to 54 km/h and catch prey mid-flight with near-perfect accuracy.

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Did You Know?

Emperor dragonflies have a prey capture success rate of 95% — the highest of any predator on Earth. Lions succeed only 25% of the time.