Tau Emerald vs Northern Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tau Emerald Northern Damselfly
Scientific Name Hemicordulia tau Coenagrion johanssoni
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Corduliidae Coenagrionidae
Size 55-60mm 28-35 mm body length
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Wetlands
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Oceania Northern Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tau Emerald

A metallic emerald-green dragonfly with bright green eyes and a distinctive T-shaped yellow marking on the abdomen. It is one of the most common dragonflies in Australia. Males patrol relentlessly.

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Did You Know?

The yellow tau-shaped mark on its abdomen gives it both its scientific and common name.

Northern Damselfly

A delicate blue and black damselfly with narrow wings held together above the body at rest. Males have a distinctive blue pattern on the abdomen. It breeds in bog pools and marshy lakeshores.

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Did You Know?

This damselfly has one of the most northerly distributions of any odonate, surviving in habitats where the breeding season lasts only a few weeks.