Southern Skimmer vs Giant Petaltail Dragonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Skimmer | Giant Petaltail Dragonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthetrum brunneum | Petalura ingentissima |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Petaluridae |
| Size | 40-47mm | 85 mm body, 125 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Wetlands |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Southern Skimmer
A robust skimmer dragonfly where males develop a pale powder-blue pruinescence. Females are brown with a pale lateral stripe. It favors warm running water habitats.
Did You Know?
It prefers flowing water over still ponds, which is unusual among skimmer dragonflies.
Giant Petaltail Dragonfly
Australias largest dragonfly and one of the most primitive living species, belonging to a family dating back to the Jurassic period. Larvae live in swamp burrows for years.
Did You Know?
This dragonfly is a living fossil — its family dates back 150 million years to the Jurassic, and larvae dig burrows in swamps where they may live for over a decade.