Southern Damselfly vs Painted Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Damselfly | Painted Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coenagrion mercuriale | Libellula semifasciata |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Coenagrionidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 27-31 mm | 40-47 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Africa | North America |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Southern Damselfly
A rare and declining European damselfly with a mercury-symbol-shaped mark on segment two. It is restricted to base-rich shallow streams and water meadows.
Did You Know?
It is named for the mercury-symbol-shaped black marking on the second segment of the male's abdomen.
Painted Skimmer
An attractive dragonfly with amber-tinted wings marked by brown bands and spots. It is an early-season flier in eastern North America.
Did You Know?
It is one of the earliest dragonflies to emerge in spring across the eastern United States.