Vagrant Emperor vs Common Bluetail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Vagrant Emperor Common Bluetail
Scientific Name Anax ephippiger Ischnura elegans
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Aeshnidae Coenagrionidae
Size 60-70 mm 27-35 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa, Europe, Asia Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Vagrant Emperor

A nomadic dragonfly that wanders vast distances across Africa, Europe, and Asia. It has a sandy-brown body with a distinctive blue saddle marking on the abdomen.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most migratory dragonflies, regularly crossing the Sahara Desert and reaching northern Europe.

Common Bluetail

A small damselfly with a distinctive blue tail-light on segment eight of the abdomen. Females occur in multiple color forms including violet, green, and brown.

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Did You Know?

Females exist in at least five distinct color forms, a level of polymorphism rare among damselflies.