Blue-winged Olive Mayfly vs Redcoat Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue-winged Olive Mayfly | Redcoat Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Serratella ignita | Xanthocnemis zealandica |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Odonata |
| Family | Ephemerellidae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm body | 28-36 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue-winged Olive Mayfly
A common mayfly of clean rivers and streams with distinctive blue-grey wings. One of the most important mayflies for fly fishing. Nymphs cling to stones in fast water.
Did You Know?
So important to fly fishers that dozens of artificial fly patterns have been designed to imitate its various life stages.
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.
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.