Yellow Swarming Fly vs Australian Emperor Dragonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow Swarming Fly Australian Emperor Dragonfly
Scientific Name Thaumatomyia notata Anax papuensis
Order Diptera Odonata
Family Chloropidae Aeshnidae
Size 2-2.5 mm Body 7-8 cm; wingspan 10-11 cm
Habitat Grasslands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Yellow Swarming Fly

A tiny yellow fly famous for forming enormous hibernation aggregations in buildings, sometimes numbering millions. Larvae are predatory on root aphids in grassland.

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Did You Know?

Can form hibernation clusters of millions in attic spaces, with individual aggregations weighing several kilograms.

Australian Emperor Dragonfly

A large, powerful dragonfly with a green thorax and blue-spotted abdomen. It is a strong flier commonly seen patrolling ponds and lakes across Australia.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few dragonfly species to have naturally colonized New Zealand by flying across the Tasman Sea.