Water Measurer vs Sinuate-winged Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Water Measurer | Sinuate-winged Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hydrometra australis | Tatocnemis sinuatipennis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Odonata |
| Family | Hydrometridae | Platycnemididae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 35-42 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Americas, from southern United States to South America | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
Water Measurer
A very slender, elongate semi-aquatic bug that walks slowly on water surfaces in the Americas. Its head is exceptionally long and narrow with a small rostrum at the tip. It moves with slow, deliberate steps along pond margins.
Did You Know?
It is so lightweight that it can walk on the water surface without breaking the surface tension, leaving no visible dimples where its feet contact the water.
Sinuate-winged Damselfly
An endemic damselfly with distinctively sinuate or wavy-edged wings, a feature unique among Malagasy odonates. Males have a metallic green thorax and pale blue abdomen.
Did You Know?
The unusual wavy wing shape is found in no other damselfly genus, making Tatocnemis instantly recognizable in the field.