Green Lestes vs River Clubtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Green Lestes River Clubtail
Scientific Name Lestes viridis Stylurus flavipes
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Lestidae Gomphidae
Size 39-48 mm body length 50-55mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Green Lestes

A metallic green damselfly that lays eggs into the bark of overhanging trees. Creates distinctive oviposition scars on willow branches. One of the latest damselflies to fly.

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Did You Know?

Uniquely among damselflies, it lays its eggs into tree bark above water rather than into aquatic plants.

River Clubtail

A large clubtail dragonfly with yellow and black markings and a distinctly expanded abdomen tip. It breeds in large lowland rivers with sandy beds. Adults spend much time hanging in tree canopies.

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Did You Know?

Adults spend most of their time high in riverside trees, only descending to water to breed, making them hard to observe.