Regarding habitat, these types of dragonflies prefer temporary water bodies and are often seen in rice fields and other agricultural areas. Both males and females have a yellow and black striped thorax and a mainly black abdomen with yellow rings. Blue Dashers prefer calm waters or slow-moving streams with vegetation, such as marshes, ponds, and lakes. The Azure Hawker (Aeshna caerulea) is a northern species with vivid blue markings, mostly found in subarctic and alpine habitats. Roseate Skimmers are territorial and often seen perched on sticks or tall grasses near the water.

Unlike damselflies, the front and rear wing pairs are shaped differently. In addition, dragonflies rest with their wings spread horizontally, rather than held vertically against each other (with the exception of one very small family, Epiophlebiidae). Dragonflies have a more powerful build and are generally much stronger fliers than damselflies. Dragonflies also have huge bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, giving some a field of vision approaching 360 degrees. Dragonflies are among the most fascinating insects in the natural world.

Northern Emerald (Somatochlora arctica)

Widow Skimmers prefer calm, shallow waters with abundant aquatic plants and open sunlit areas. Twelve-spotted Skimmers often perch on tall reeds or branches, surveying their territory and flying in short bursts to catch insects. These dragonflies are active hunters, often perching on stems or twigs near water, ready to dart after prey. When he finds a receptive female, he grasps her behind her head with claspers at the tip of his abdomen, and the two fly off together. Around 7,000 species of true dragonflies are alive today, and, together with the closely related damselflies, they form the group Odonta, which goes back 325 million years.

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.

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.

• The Common Sanddragon is typically dark brown to black with yellow markings.
• 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.
• Moreover, this darner dragonfly can migrate hundreds of miles yearly, which is impressive for any insect.
• Instead, they glide gracefully over open spaces, especially in fields and clearings, often appearing to dance in the air.

Common Hawker

• Southern Hawkers prefer woodland ponds, shaded lakes, and garden ponds.
• Common Hawkers are swift and powerful in flight, often patrolling large areas of open water and occasionally venturing over land.
• They prefer open areas near freshwater — including lakes, ponds, and even large puddles.
• They favor ponds, lakes, marshes, and quiet backwaters with lots of aquatic plants.
• Most species live in tropical areas, near ponds, rivers, marshes, and beaches; dragonfly nymphs are aquatic.

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.

They patrol long stretches of streams, often flying close to the water’s surface. Southern Hawkers prefer woodland ponds, shaded lakes, and garden ponds. They prefer open areas near freshwater — including lakes, ponds, and even large puddles. They can also be seen migrating in groups during late summer and fall.

Disappearing fliers

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.

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. Adult dragonflies are characterized by long bodies with two narrow pairs of intricately veined, membranous wings that, while generally transparent, may have colored markings.

Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)

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.

Common Green Darner

Red-veined Darters are highly active fliers, often seen basking on bare ground or stones in sunny areas. They are aggressive predators, spending much of their time on the wing patrolling large territories. The Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) is a vibrant dragonfly found across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia, known for its intense red color.

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.

Types of Dragonfly Species

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. The Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) is a medium-sized dragonfly easily recognized by the dark spots on its wings. The Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) is one of Europe’s largest and most powerful dragonflies, known for its brilliant colors and strong flight.

Disproportionately large, the mask folds beneath both the head and thorax when it is not in use. At the end of the mask is a set of fanglike pincers used to seize prey such as mosquito larvae, worms, crustaceans, tadpoles, and small fish. Different species of dragonfly larvae can be described as sprawlers, burrowers, hiders, or claspers. Their shape, metabolism, and respiration differ concordantly with the microhabitat they occupy. Dragonflies are predatory insects, both in their aquatic nymphal stage (also known as “naiads”) and as adults.

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 dragonfly candlestick 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.