Black Gem vs Comet Darner

Microchrysa cyaneiventris compared with Anax longipes

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black Gem	Comet Darner
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Diptera (Diptera)	Odonata (Odonata)
Family	Stratiomyidae	Aeshnidae
Genus	Microchrysa	Anax
Species	Microchrysa cyaneiventris	Anax longipes

Evolutionary Relationship

Black Gem and Comet Darner share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Black Gem

LC — Least Concern

Comet Darner

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black Gem	Comet Darner
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black Gem

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Comet Darner

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in United States.

Black Gem

The Black Gem (Microchrysa cyaneiventris) is a species in the genus Microchrysa. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Comet Darner

<em>Anax longipes</em>, the comet darner, is a large dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae, assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is endemic to the United States, where it inhabits lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers with clear water and abundant emergent vegetation. The comet darner is one of the largest North American dragonflies and is distinguished by its brilliant coloration, including a green thorax and a red-spotted abdomen in mature males. The species name longipes refers to its notably long legs. Adults are powerful aerial predators, feeding on a variety of flying insects captured in flight. Larvae are aquatic and predatory, developing in the benthic zone of freshwater habitats where they feed on invertebrates and small vertebrates. The comet darner undertakes seasonal dispersal movements and is most commonly observed near its breeding water bodies during the warmer months.