Tanzanian Heelwalker vs Paddle-tailed Darner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tanzanian Heelwalker Paddle-tailed Darner
Scientific Name Tanzaniophasma subsolana Aeshna palmata
Order Mantophasmatodea Odonata
Family Tanzaniophasmatidae Aeshnidae
Size 15-20 mm 65-75 mm
Habitat Mountains Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions East Africa, Tanzania North America
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Tanzanian Heelwalker

Known only from a single museum specimen from Tanzania, this enigmatic heelwalker represents the only known East African member of its order. Its biology remains almost completely unknown.

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Did You Know?

This species was described from a specimen collected decades before Mantophasmatodea was recognized as a new order.

Paddle-tailed Darner

A large, boldly marked darner of western North America with distinctive paddle-shaped cerci. Males have bright blue and green abdominal spots.

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Did You Know?

Its uniquely flattened, paddle-shaped cerci are unlike those of any other North American darner.