Dragonflies are predatory, flying insects that belong to the suborder Anisoptera within the order Odonata. The suborder derives its name from the Greek words anisos (unequal) and pteron (wing) since the hindwings of dragonflies are broader than the forewings. In 2021 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released the first global assessment of dragonflies as an update to their Red List of Threatened Species. They prefer still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, canals, and ditches, often with plenty of floating vegetation. The Azure Hawker (Aeshna caerulea) is a northern species with vivid blue markings, mostly found in subarctic and alpine habitats. Eastern Pondhawks are fierce predators, catching insects both in the air and on vegetation.
They are aggressive predators, spending much of their time on the wing patrolling large territories. Whether delicately perched on a cattail or hovering over a pond, dragonflies are a sure sign of summer. As their name suggests, this type of dragonfly bags the record for the longest-distance insect flyer. They measure between 1.2 to 1.6 inches, which puts them in the medium-sized bracket of dragonfly species. She prefers cooler climates, while the Common Sanddragon is home in the sand near streams and rivers. Depending on the species, nymphs can survive for several months to up to 5 years7.
The largest living dragonfly, the giant hawker (Tetracanthagyna plagiata), has a maximum wingspan of about 6.42 in (163 mm). In contrast, the smallest, the scarlet dwarf (Nannophya pygmaea), has a wingspan of only 20 mm (0.8 in). Dragonflies are represented in human culture on artefacts such as pottery, rock paintings, statues, and Art Nouveau jewellery. They are used in traditional medicine in Japan and China, and caught for food in Indonesia. They are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness in Japan, but seen as sinister in European folklore. Their bright colours and agile flight are admired in the poetry of Lord Tennyson and the prose of H.
Coloration
- Males have bright blue bodies, while females and juveniles are green.
- Young dragonflies, called larvae or sometimes nymphs or naiads, are aquatic and are as dedicated predators under water as the adults are in the air.
- Unlike other dragonflies, the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly has unique flying abilities, hovering in the air and darting in a straight line.
- Dragonflies, like damselflies, exhibit a mating posture unique to the Odonata.
- Known for their vibrant colors, swift flight, and impressive hunting skills, they have captured human curiosity for centuries.
- She prefers cooler climates, while the Common Sanddragon is home in the sand near streams and rivers.
The males have white patches on their wings and blue-white bodies, while females and immature males have an earthy brown color with a yellow stripe on each side of their abdomen. Most species live in tropical areas, near ponds, rivers, marshes, and beaches; dragonfly nymphs are aquatic. However, each species has its distinct preference for the environment they inhabit. Dragonflies are hemimetabolous, meaning they undergo incomplete metamorphosis, in which the egg develops into an adult through nymphal stages instead of a pupal stage.
It’s often mistaken for other species due to its uniform bluish-black coloring, especially among males. Roseate Skimmers are territorial and often seen perched on sticks or tall grasses near the water. Males display their color and flight patterns to ward off rivals and attract females. It prefers calm freshwater habitats like ponds, lakes, and marshes with lots of emergent vegetation. This species prefers marshes, ponds, and lakes with still or slow-flowing water, often in open sunny areas. They patrol open areas, often capturing mosquitoes, flies, and other small insects mid-air.
Yellow-winged Darter
The Black Saddlebags dragonfly is a type of skimmer dragonfly found in the aquatic environments of North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Asia. Growing up to three inches long, darners contain some of the biggest dragonflies in North America. Adults typically live for a week or two, but some species, such as the Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator), survive for 6 to 8 weeks under ideal environmental conditions.
Banded Pennants are calm flyers and often glide above open water dragonfly doji meaning or perch on exposed stems. The Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) is a beautiful dragonfly that looks like a small, colorful flag fluttering in the wind. They are strong flyers and rarely perch, often seen gliding effortlessly over open fields and roads. The Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) is one of the most widespread dragonflies globally, known for its impressive migratory behavior.
Mottled Darner (Aeshna clepsydra)
Extremely strong and agile fliers, dragonflies are among the fastest insects known and are voracious predators of flying insects such as mosquitoes and flies. The Globe Skimmer has a pale brown body and transparent wings, with adults occasionally developing a golden shade. They are one of the most widespread dragonfly species seen around the world1. Male Globe Skimmers have a row of cells on the hind wing known as secondary genitalia, which females lack.
Its appearance is striking, with green eyes, a metallic green body, and yellow stripes on its thorax and abdomen. They are relatively large dragonflies, with a body length of up to 2.5 inches and a wingspan of up to 3.5 inches. Being almost cosmopolitan in distribution, dragonflies are found on all continents except Antarctica.
- Females of the families Aeshnidae and Petaluridae possess a sharp-edged ovipositor, which they use to slit the stem or leaf of a plant on or near water, depositing their eggs inside.
- Residing mainly in the northern parts of North America, their habitat ranges from ponds and bogs to slow-flowing streams surrounded by dense forests.
- Adult dragonflies are characterised by a pair of large, multifaceted, compound eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body.
- Because these insects require stable oxygen levels and clean water, scientists consider them reliable bioindicators of the health of an ecosystem.
In 2009, the first comprehensive assessment of insect species showed that 10 percent of dragonfly species were under threat of extinction. The animals are imperiled by destruction of freshwater habitats—particularly ponds, bogs, and fens—by pollution, and non-native vegetation. Living on every continent but Antarctica, these insects are instantly recognizable by their large bodies; four long, horizontal wings; and the way they hover and zip around. Dragonflies can reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour and fly just as gracefully backward by lifting off vertically, helicopter style. Their compound eyes are so large they nearly touch, and each one has about 28,000 single eyes, or ommatidia. Both males and females have a yellow and black striped thorax and a mainly black abdomen with yellow rings.
The Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata) is a striking dragonfly with distinctively banded wings, common in the eastern United States. Yellow-winged Darters often perch low on vegetation or the ground, launching quick flights to hunt. They are active hunters, often flying low over the water surface to catch prey and resting frequently on open ground or rocks.
Types of Dragonfly Species
They favor ponds, lakes, marshes, and quiet backwaters with lots of aquatic plants. Blue Dashers prefer still or slow-moving freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, and marshy areas with abundant vegetation. The Common Green Darner (Anax junius) is one of the largest and most easily recognized dragonflies in North America. With its bright green thorax and powerful flying ability, it is often seen near ponds, lakes, and wetlands throughout the warmer seasons.
Depending on the species, a single clutch can contain up to 1,500 eggs, which typically hatch into aquatic nymphs, or naiads, in about a week. They also breathe through gills in their rectum and propel themselves forward by expelling water through the anus. This body part is largely made up of a pair of compound eyes, each consisting of numerous ommatidia. For instance, the variable darner (Aeshna interrupta) has about ommatidia of two varying sizes, while the giant dragonfly (Petalura gigantea) has around ommatidia of just one size. In addition to the compound eyes, these insects also have three simple eyes (ocelli).
Red-veined Darters are highly active fliers, often seen basking on bare ground or stones in sunny areas. The Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) is a vibrant dragonfly found across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia, known for its intense red color. They are known for their relaxed, gliding flight and often perch prominently on stems or reeds. Flame Skimmers often perch on exposed branches or rocks, basking in the sun before swiftly catching prey. Black Saddlebags are strong fliers, often seen soaring effortlessly in groups, especially during late summer migrations. They have four different styles of flight, switching between each from time to time.
Compared with other insects, they are large, with some having wingspans of up to 16 cm (about 6 inches). Dragonfly wing muscles must be warm to function optimally, and so, if cool, the insect often engages in wing-whirring and basking in the sun to generate heat before taking flight. The dragonfly’s speed and agility contribute to its being one of the most effective aerial predators. Small flying insects, such as mosquitoes, are the usual fare, but some dragonflies regularly consume prey that is 60 percent of their own weight.
Body Coloration
Common Whitetails are found near ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers, often favoring areas with open water and scattered vegetation. It thrives in marshes, ponds, lakes, and slow streams, particularly those with plenty of reeds and vegetation. Emperor Dragonflies are found around lakes, large ponds, and slow rivers, often hunting over open water. They frequently perch on rocks, sticks, or bare ground, darting out quickly to catch flying insects. In this guide, we’ll explore 25 different types of dragonflies, highlighting their key identification points, habitats, and behaviors.
An adult dragonfly’s compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each. Around midsummer, females hover over bodies of fresh water and dip in their abdomens, laying eggs that hatch in about seven to eight days. Dragonfly, (suborder Anisoptera), any of a group of roughly 3,000 species of aerial predatory insects most commonly found near freshwater habitats throughout most of the world. Damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) are sometimes also called dragonflies in that both are odonates (order Odonata).
Ducks, herons, newts, frogs, fish, and water spiders consume nymphs. Adults are characterized by an elongated abdomen and a pair of large compound eyes that provide an almost 360° vision. These insects are often mistaken for damselflies (suborder Zygoptera), which are phylogenetically close but lighter in build.
These types of dragonflies are sedentary; most of their life cycle happens in the larval stage, lasting up to two years. They submerge themselves in the waters of marshes, slow-moving streams, or vegetation-rich ponds, where they hunt other aquatic creatures. Males have a blue hue on their abdomens that contrasts with their green bodies, while females have a more subtle green coloration.
Dragonflies are among the most fascinating insects in the natural world. Known for their vibrant colors, swift flight, and impressive hunting skills, they have captured human curiosity for centuries. With around 5,000 species found worldwide, dragonflies come in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Each species has its own unique features that make it stand out, whether it’s the bright blue body of the Blue Dasher or the striking yellow rings of the Golden-ringed Dragonfly.