Riker Mounted Euphaea variegata with Green Wings

Might be because we’ve read too many fantasy novels or watched Shrek too many times, but it’s kind of funny to us that the damselfly and the dragonfly often get confused for each other. As a quick way of telling the two apart, damselflies are smaller, slender, hold their wings together at rest, and have widely spaced eyes. Dragonflies are bigger, sturdier, hold their wings flat, and have large eyes that often touch at the top of the head. The Euphaea variegata is indeed a damselfly.

With that out of our system, let’s talk about this neat, shiny flying insect. Euphaea variegata has striking patterned wings that males use to impress females and protect their territory from rivals. Its metallic blue-green body glints in the sunlight, giving it a sparkling, almost jewel-like appearance. These damselflies are usually found near clean, flowing streams, which makes them a great indicator of a healthy environment. Despite their delicate look, they are fierce little hunters, catching tiny insects in midair with impressive skill. So not only are they super pretty, but they are also skilled air-to-air hunters of the insect world.