Wandering Glider vs Redcoat Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wandering Glider Redcoat Damselfly
Scientific Name Pantala hymenaea Xanthocnemis zealandica
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Libellulidae Coenagrionidae
Size 46-52mm 28-36 mm
Habitat Farmland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions North America, South America, Asia Oceania (New Zealand)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Wandering Glider

A medium-sized dragonfly with broad hindwings and a yellowish body. It spends almost its entire life on the wing, rarely perching. It breeds in temporary rain pools.

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Did You Know?

It can develop from egg to adult in as little as 38 days, one of the fastest development times of any dragonfly.

Redcoat Damselfly

A small endemic damselfly found throughout New Zealand, named for the bright red body of the male. It is one of the most abundant odonates in New Zealand and frequents still or slow-moving water bodies. Females are typically greenish-brown.

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Did You Know?

Male redcoat damselflies will guard their mate by remaining attached in tandem while she lays eggs, preventing other males from mating with her.