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Comparison of Similar Species

(Photo sorting: left to right, top to bottom)

Pale-spotted Emperor

1. A black triangular spot at where the frons sticks to the compound eyes

2. Synthorax green with no apparent stripes at two sides

4. Spots on abdomen dot-like

 

Blue-spotted Emperor

1. “å·¥”-shaped black spot on the frons

2. Synthorax green, two sides with apparent black stripes

4. Spots on abdomen dot-like

 

Lesser Emperor

1. Two black stripes on the frons

2. Synthorax green, without apparent stripes on two sides

4. Spots on abdomen strip-like

Pale-spotted Emperor/Blue-spotted Emperor/Lesser Emperor
Blue-spotted Dusk-hawker/ Ryukyu Dusk-hawker/ Dingy Dusk Hawker

Blue-spotted Dusk-hawker

2. Dorsum of synthorax near the base of forewings with a pentagonal spot

 

Ryukyu Dusk-hawker

2. Dorsum of synthorax near the base of forewings with a obtriangular spot

 

Dingy Dusk Hawker

2. Dorsum of synthorax near the base of forewings with a rhombus-shaped spot

Tiger Hawker/ Beak-tailed Hawker

Tiger Hawker

1. Frons yellowish green

2. Compound eyes green

 

Beak-tailed Hawker

1. Frons white

2. Compound eyes blue in male

Common Flangetail/ Golden Flangetail

Common Flangetail

1. Legs all black

2. A pair of black leaf-like projections on the 8th abdominal segment, which are smaller in female

 

Golden Flangetail

1. Femur yellow

2. A pair of black leaf-like projections with yellow spot on the 8th abdominal segment

Hainan Hooktail/ Guangdong Hooktai/ Chinese Hooktail

Hainan Hooktail

1. Synthorax ridge without yellow stripe

2. Two yellow stripes at two sides of synthorax respectively

3. Yellow spot on the 7th abdominal segment

4. Superior anal appendage and inferior anal appendage form a complete ring in male

 

Guangdong Hooktai

1. Synthorax ridge without yellow stripe

2. Two yellow stripes at two sides of synthorax respectively; Apparently disconnected thin yellow between thick yellow spots

3. Large white spot on the 7th abdominal segment

4. Superior anal appendage and inferior anal appendage form a “C” in male

 

Chinese Hooktail

1. Yellow stripe on synthorax ridge

2. Two yellow stripes at two sides of synthorax respectively, and some individuals with small yellow spot between yellow stripes

3. Large yellow spot on 7th abdominal segment

4. Superior anal appendage and inferior anal appendage form a “C” in male

Regal Pond Cruiser/ Angle-winged Cruiser/ South China Cruiser/ Club-tailed Cruiser

Regal Pond Cruiser

1. Broad antehumeral stripes on synthorax

2. Apparent small yellow transverse stripes on the dorsum of the 8th abdominal segment in some individuals

 

Angle-winged Cruiser

1. Synthorax without antehumeral stripe

2. The 8th abdominal segment all black

 

South China Cruiser

1. Antehumeral stripes on synthorax, but thinner than those of Regal Pond Cruiser

2. Dorsum of the 8th abdominal segment without yellow spot

 

Club-tailed Cruiser

1. Antehumeral stripes on synthorax, but thinner than those of Regal Pond Cruiser

2. Two yellow spots on the dorsum and abdomen of the 8th abdominal segment respectively