The Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) is a robust dragonfly widely distributed across the eastern United States, easily recognized by its green and blue coloration. In this guide, we’ll explore 25 different types of dragonflies, highlighting their key identification points, habitats, and behaviors. For example, the yellow presba, a dragonfly native only to South Africa, is losing its grassland habitat to the Australian black wattle, a commercially introduced tree. The fast-growing invasive species blocks out sunlight that sustains the grasses. The International Union for Conservation of Nature now considers this dragonfly vulnerable to extinction.
Flight speed
Eastern Pondhawks exhibit sexual dimorphism and have an average length of 1.5 to 2 inches. Males have bright blue bodies, while females and juveniles are green. Water can be forcibly expelled in this way, resulting in jet propulsion as a means of escape.
Types of Dragonflies: Species, Facts and Photos
Growing up to three inches long, darners contain some of the biggest dragonflies in North America. Dragonflies belong to the suborder2 Anisoptera within the larger order Odonata. Recent numbers say there are 2,967 recorded species of dragonflies existing worldwide.
In the same order, there are damselflies under the suborder Zygoptera comprising 3,332 species. AllInsects shares simple, trustworthy guides to identify, understand, and appreciate insects—from backyard species to global favorites. They tend to perch on low branches or grass tips and defend their territory aggressively against intruders, often flying short distances to chase off others. They inhabit ponds, lakes, and marshes, especially where there is open space for hunting. The Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) is a robust and very common dragonfly across much of North America, known for its short, thick body and distinctive markings. Four-spotted Chasers are often territorial and will chase away intruding dragonflies from their perches.
(Sometimes they will mate in the air.) Mating takes just a few seconds, after which the female can immediately lay her eggs. Originating from Scandinavia, these types of dragonflies are seen in many parts of Northern Europe and North America. They are typically found dragonfly candlestick in acidic water bodies with abundant floating vegetation.
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. Empower your organization with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat that supercharges productivity, sparks creativity, and keeps your data protected with enterprise data protection. Emily is a passionate nature writer who enjoys exploring the fascinating world of insects. She shares clear, easy-to-read guides to help people understand and appreciate these tiny creatures.
Eyesight
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. The functionally wingless larvae are usually mottled or dull in color, matching the sediments or water plants among which they live. They have bulging eyes somewhat similar to the adults, but possess a formidable anatomical structure not present in the adult. Called the “mask,” it is a fusion of the larva’s third pair of mouthparts.
Distinguishing characteristics and flight behavior
Males display their color and flight patterns to ward off rivals and attract females. 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. 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. When they land, the female curls her abdomen under to meet his secondary genitalia, forming a “mating wheel” that can resemble the shape of a heart.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies, like damselflies, exhibit a mating posture unique to the Odonata. The male and female contort themselves into the “wheel” position before sperm is transferred. Before and after mating, dragonflies often fly in tandem, with the male towing the female in flight using claspers at the tip of his abdomen to grip the back of her head. Pairs of some species may remain in tandem while the female lays her eggs. The Globe Skimmer has a pale brown body and transparent wings, with adults occasionally developing a golden shade.
The Twelve-spotted Skimmer is a highly admired species due to its unique and fascinating characteristics. It is easily identifiable by the twelve black spots on each of its four wings, a unique pattern that resembles brushstrokes. Golden-ringed Dragonflies favor clean, fast-flowing streams and rivers, especially in upland and moorland regions. Unlike most dragonflies, the Azure Hawker inhabits cool, acidic bogs, peatlands, and moorlands. Widespread globally, they are primarily found near rivers and streams, as well as occasionally around lakes and near water-filled ditches.
The dark bands on its wings give it an eerie look, and it has an unusual habit of perching atop plants and grasses and swaying with the wind. The Cherry-faced Meadowhawk has a vibrant cherry-red face and thorax that males develop as they age. Females and young males have a unique yellowish-brown hue with black triangular spots. Male Black Saddlebags are black, while the females and young males have a lighter yellow-brown hue. American Emeralds dart and hover in the air when they finally emerge as adult dragonflies.
Yellow-winged Darter
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. The Crimson Marsh Glider is a dragonfly species living in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The males of the species have red bodies, while the females and young ones have a yellow-brown color. 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.
- 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.
- They prefer slow-moving or stagnant waters with rich vegetation; they occupy various regions across the Americas.
- The Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) is a robust dragonfly widely distributed across the eastern United States, easily recognized by its green and blue coloration.
Banded Pennants are calm flyers and often glide above open water 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.
- The males of the species are larger than the females, measuring up to 2 inches in length, and have a club-shaped abdomen and terminal appendages.
- Males have a blue hue on their abdomens that contrasts with their green bodies, while females have a more subtle green coloration.
- In the same order, there are damselflies under the suborder Zygoptera comprising 3,332 species.
- Unlike other dragonflies, the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly has unique flying abilities, hovering in the air and darting in a straight line.
These late-season fliers remain active even as the seasons shift and cooler temperatures set in. Exploring the various types of dragonflies can offer insights beyond their physical appearance. These insects play a significant role in our ecosystems and possess unique features.
It prefers calm freshwater habitats like ponds, lakes, and marshes with lots of emergent vegetation. Blue Dashers prefer still or slow-moving freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, and marshy areas with abundant vegetation. Common Green Darners are typically found around freshwater habitats such as ponds, marshes, lakes, and slow-moving rivers.
The males of the species are larger than the females, measuring up to 2 inches in length, and have a club-shaped abdomen and terminal appendages. Female Sanddragons, on the other hand, have a cylindrical abdomen and lack claspers. They live near ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams, where they hunt for insects.
Many dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural coloration, making them conspicuous in flight. An adult dragonfly’s compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each. This species lives in Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. They prefer marshy habitats near slow-moving rivers, calm ponds, or vast lakes, where they feed on small flying insects like mosquitoes and flies.
As the larva grows, it molts, its future wings first becoming apparent about halfway through the larva’s development. Eventually, the larva crawls out of the water (often at night) and molts one last time, emerging as an adult and leaving behind a cast skin (exuvia). 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 Common Sanddragon is typically dark brown to black with yellow markings. Despite its name, it can be difficult to spot because of its ability to hide in sand or mud. They measure between 1.2 to 1.6 inches, which puts them in the medium-sized bracket of dragonfly species.