Swamp Darner vs Dance Fly with Feathered Legs
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Swamp Darner | Dance Fly with Feathered Legs |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Austroaeschna parvistigma | Rhamphomyia sulcata |
| Order | Odonata | Diptera |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Empididae |
| Size | Body 5-6 cm; wingspan 7-8 cm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Australia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Swamp Darner
A medium-sized brown and blue darner dragonfly found along shaded creeks in southeastern Australia. It has small stigmata on the wings, giving it its scientific name.
Did You Know?
Males patrol low along creeks in deep shade, a behavior unusual among dragonflies that typically prefer sun.
Dance Fly with Feathered Legs
A small dance fly where females have distinctive feathered or pennate leg scales used to attract males. Females inflate their abdomen to appear larger during swarming displays.
Did You Know?
In a rare reversal, females are the ornamented sex, using feathered legs and inflated abdomens to compete for males.