Variable Damselfly vs Orange Spider Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Variable Damselfly | Orange Spider Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coenagrion pulchellum | Cryptocheilus australis |
| Order | Odonata | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Coenagrionidae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 33-35mm | 20-30 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Indoors |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Variable Damselfly
A blue damselfly with highly variable black markings, making identification challenging. Males have a distinctive mercury or wine-glass shaped mark on the second abdominal segment. It favors sheltered waters.
Did You Know?
Its abdominal markings are so variable that no two individuals are exactly alike, earning it its common name.
Orange Spider Wasp
A striking orange and black spider wasp that hunts large ground-dwelling spiders across Australia. Its vivid colouration serves as a warning to predators of its powerful sting.
Did You Know?
Female spider wasps engage in elaborate prey-handling behaviours, sometimes caching spiders temporarily while they dig the final burrow.