Damselfly (Red)(Xanthocnemis zealandica)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family Coenagrionidae
Scientific name: Xanthocnemis zealandica
Common name: Red Damselfly, Red Coat Damselfly
The red damselfly is the most common damselfly found in a New Zealand. It is a native found through out New Zealand. They are are expert hunters - adults take small insects on the wing and their nymphs are pretty impressive aquatic predators.
You can tell a damselfly from a dragonfly thanks to the way they hold their wings - damselflies fold them up over their body when they land while dragonflies hold them open.
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