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What sorts of dragonflies can you discover in the US?
Dragonflies are simple to acknowledge by their lengthy, slender our bodies and distinctively slim wings. They typically stay round water, however these adaptable creatures additionally inhabit different areas.
There are a minimum of 5,000 species of dragonflies on this planet! Since it might be not possible to record the entire ones in the US on this article, I selected the most typical and thrilling species to share with you immediately. 🙂
#1. Jap Pondhawk
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.4-1.9 in lengthy.
- Males are powdery blue with yellow-tipped abdomens and inexperienced faces.
- Females are brilliant inexperienced with darkish brown or black spots on their stomach and inexperienced faces.
These aptly named dragonflies in the US spend their time round ponds and different nonetheless our bodies of water. Right here, there are fewer predators to feed on their eggs and younger. They’re extremely agile, ferocious aerial predators, which is the place the “hawk” moniker comes from. This species feeds on numerous bugs and take down prey its personal dimension.
Jap Pondhawks typically relaxation on vegetation between hunts and take to their air when prey passes them. They often take bigger bugs again to their perch. They twist their lengthy legs right into a basket form to hold their prey to carry it securely.
Dragonflies are recognized for his or her thrilling flight habits, and Jap Pondhawks aren’t any exception. Chances are you’ll spot a pair flying throughout the water’s floor collectively simply an inch or two aside. Often, the chief will fall again, and the opposite will transfer into the lead in a cartwheel-like movement.
Whereas they aren’t venomous or harmful to people, Jap Pondhawks can ship a painful pinch when you seize them. They’re fascinating creatures, however it’s finest to depart them alone and observe from a distance.
#2. Blue Dasher
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1-1.5 in lengthy.
- Males are vibrant blue with yellow-striped thoraces and metallic inexperienced eyes.
- Females are much less colourful and have comparable striped thoraces, brown and yellow striped abdomens, and crimson eyes.
Blue Dashers are the most typical dragonflies in the US.
You’re almost certainly to search out them round calm or slow-moving our bodies of water, together with lakes, ponds, marshes, ditches, and sluggish rivers and streams. They’re energetic through the day all through the summer season. At evening, the adults relaxation in bushes.
Blue Dashers are voracious predators able to consuming a whole lot of bugs every day! They’ve quick reflexes and unimaginable eyesight. Their bulging, spherical eyes are composed of 30,000 aspects, every seeing in a unique course. Mixed, they permit these dragonflies to see in practically each course. Their two unbiased units of wings allow them to alter course shortly and to hover in place when mandatory.
As adults, they predominately feed on small flying bugs like mosquitoes, moths, flies, and mayflies. They’ll catch as much as 95% of the prey they pursue, making them one in every of Earth’s most effective predators. Each women and men are aggressive towards different dragonflies.
The larval dragonflies, referred to as naiads or nymphs, stay within the water for as much as two years. Whereas on this stage, they feed on aquatic bugs, tadpoles, and even tiny fish. They’re properly camouflaged and sometimes disguise in aquatic vegetation till they spot prey. Adults have a a lot shorter lifespan than naiads and die after just a few weeks.
#3. Widow Skimmer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.7-2 in lengthy.
- They’ve cumbersome our bodies and enormous, distinguished black bands on the bottom of their wings.
- Males are steel-blue and develop broad white spots on their wings.
- Females are yellow and black.
The Widow Skimmer is an easy-to-identify dragonfly in the US.
The distinctive darkish markings on their clear wings are laborious to overlook. The black patches resemble a widow’s black scarf, which explains their widespread title.
You’re more likely to discover Widow Skimmers round open our bodies of water corresponding to ponds, lakes, or slow-moving streams through the summer season. They typically choose areas with muddy banks.
Male Widow Skimmers are extremely territorial and can patrol their territory and away rival males. They might additionally perch close by, looking forward to intruders. You may additionally spot Widow Skimmer pairs mating when a pair kinds a “wheel” place in flight.
#4. Fragile Forktail
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 0.8-1.1 in lengthy.
- Males are yellow, yellow-green, or inexperienced.
- Females are mild blue, maturing to darkish blue with a frosted or powdered look.
- Each sexes characteristic pale shoulder stripes that resemble exclamation marks.
Fragile Forktails are damselflies, that are just like dragonflies in the US.
Search for them from spring via summer season and into early fall. You’re more likely to discover these bugs round ponds, wetlands, and slow-moving streams. They typically perch or forage within the shade close to these areas.
Regardless of their small, delicate body, Fragile Forktails are environment friendly predators. They predominantly feed on small flying bugs and typically different damselflies, together with these of their very own species.
Fragile Forktails might have a number of generations per yr. The males don’t guard the females, however the females excel at heading off undesirable consideration. They flex their stomach and beat their wings quickly in a menace show.
#5. Frequent Whitetail
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.7 to 1.9 in lengthy.
- Males are chalky blue with a single, broad, darkish band on every wing.
- Females have brown our bodies with a row of yellowish, triangular marks on both sides of their stomach and three evenly spaced darkish blotches on every wing.
Frequent Whitetails are simple dragonflies to search out in the US.
If you happen to spend time close to ponds, marshes, and different slow-moving our bodies of water, you’ll seemingly spot one. They zoom above the water feeding on mosquitoes and different small flying bugs. Frequent Whitetails additionally spend lots of time perching, and it’s possible you’ll spot them resting on vegetation or sometimes even on the bottom close to the water’s edge.
Male Frequent Whitetails are surprisingly feisty and extremely territorial! They guard and patrol a bit of the water’s edge and warn off different males utilizing their white stomach in menace shows. These territories are important as a result of they’re the place a feminine mate will lay her eggs.
The naiads or nymphs that hatch from the eggs obtain no parental care or guarding. Sadly, they’re an considerable and favourite good meals supply for fish, frogs, birds, and different aquatic bugs and have as much as a 99% mortality price.
#6. Jap Amberwing
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults develop as much as 1 in lengthy.
- Their wings are pure gold, orange, or amber, and females have brown spots.
- Each sexes have giant crimson eyes, crimson pterostigmata (specialised thicker cells on the outer wing), and brown and yellow stripes on their stomach.
These are the one dragonflies in the US recognized to imitate wasps!
Jap Amberwings have brown and yellow stripes on their stomach that assist them seem wasp-like to warn away predators. In addition they copy the habits of wasps, flexing and wiggling their abdomens just like the extra harmful bugs.
You’ll almost certainly spot Jap Amberwings on heat, sunny days close to wetlands and small our bodies of water. They perch close to the water’s edge, sometimes darting out to feed on small flying bugs that occur by.
Males defend and patrol a shoreline territory about 20 ft broad. The males search for high-quality egg-laying websites with loads of aquatic vegetation as they want their territory to attraction to females.
Males actively courtroom females by approaching them and swaying backwards and forwards with their abdomens raised. If the feminine likes the male, she is going to comply with him and consider his territory. Then he reveals her very best egg-laying websites inside the territory by hovering above them along with his wings whirring and stomach raised. If she’s completely happy along with his territory, they’ll mate.
#7. Ebony Jewelwing
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.5-2.2 in lengthy.
- Males have metallic blue-green our bodies with black wings.
- Females have uninteresting brown our bodies, smoky wings, and white spots close to the ideas.
These beautiful damselflies stay close to wooded streams and rivers. Search for Ebony Jewelwings resting on leaves and branches in sunny spots of close by forests. They’re agile fliers, utilizing their spiny legs to grab prey on the wing. These bugs are nice to have round as a result of they feed on mosquitoes, gnats, and crane flies.
Ebony Jewelwings are adventurous damselflies. You may sometimes spot males removed from water trying to find new territory. In cool climates, you’ll see them via the spring, summer season, and early fall, however they’re typically current year-round in hotter southern climates.
Search for fascinating mating habits in territorial male Ebony Jewelwings. They try to draw females by performing what’s often called a “cross” show. They face the feminine after which flip their hindwings downward, holding them perpendicular to the physique. Then they elevate their forewings and stomach, displaying their pale underside.
#8. Autumn Meadowhawk
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.2-1.4 in lengthy.
- Males are brilliant cherry crimson.
- Females are yellow as younger however mature to crimson and tan.
These dragonflies in the US emerge later than many others.
Autumn Meadowhawks often change into energetic in early summer season, they usually’re most typical through the summer season and fall. You might be able to spot adults into November or till there’s a laborious freeze.
Search for these dragonflies close to marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. They’ve a voracious urge for food and are succesful predators, feeding on pests like moths, mosquitoes, mayflies, flies, flying ants, and termites. They often perch after which fly out after prey that comes shut. Researchers imagine that they catch 97% of the bugs they pursue!
They’re a novel dragonfly species in that the males aren’t territorial. They’re often very tolerant of different males. This obvious friendliness is undoubtedly as a consequence of their uncommon mating system. Autumn Meadowhawks pair up away from the water within the forest. Due to the forest’s privateness, there isn’t as a lot want for particular person territories.
#9. Blue-fronted Dancer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.3-1.6 in lengthy.
- Males have mild blue eyes, blue thoraces, and brown abdomens with blue sides and ideas.
- Females differ in shade and could also be blue, brown, turquoise, or grayish-black.
These damselflies in the US are named for his or her elegant flight.
They’re charming to observe as they flit, flutter, and bounce via the air round ponds, streams, creeks, and rivers. You may even see their enticing blue coloring higher as they relaxation on close by shrubs, grass, logs, and branches.
Male Blue-footed Dancers spend rather more time over the water as they guard and patrol small territories. Females will solely go to their territory after they’re able to mate and as an alternative spend their time flying over grassy areas or in forests.
Larval Blue-fronted Dancers, referred to as naiads or nymphs, are unimaginable aquatic predators. They feed on worms, bugs, and even small fish. Finally, they’ll crawl out of the water, metamorphose into their grownup part, and repeat the replica cycle.
#10. Acquainted Bluet
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.1-1.5 in lengthy.
- Males are brilliant blue with a darkish head that includes two blue tear-shaped spots on the highest and black patches alongside the highest of their our bodies.
- Females have the same sample however are typically mild brown relatively than blue.
Acquainted Bluets are much less choosy about habitat than different damselflies and dragonflies in the US. The males of this species are typically simple to identify and are the brightest of the blue damselflies! They want water to finish their lifecycle however use any water supply, together with muddy puddles, lakes, bogs, marshes, salt marshes, streams, creeks, rivers, and ponds. They shortly make the most of any new moist habitat that they discover.
Regardless of their charming and virtually delicate look, Acquainted Bluets are formidable predators. They’ll feed on nearly any soft-bodied insect that crosses their path. These embody small moths, mosquitoes, flies, mayflies, flying ants, and termites.
You’ll seemingly spot male Acquainted Bluets over the water, the place they spend a lot of their time on prolonged patrols to protect their territory. Females will go to them when they’re able to mate however spend a lot of their time in close by woodlands.
#11. Variable Dancer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.1-1.3 in lengthy.
- Males are violet with black markings, pale sides, and blue ideas.
- Females have the same sample however are often brown as an alternative of violet.
As their title suggests, this species is variable in seems to be, and there are at present three acknowledged subspecies. The Violet Dancer is a northern subspecies with clear wings, the Smoky Dancer is discovered within the southeast and has brownish wings, and the Black Dancer is just present in Florida and options black wings.
The second a part of their title, “dancer,” refers to their bouncy, fluttering flight, which makes them seem to bop throughout the sky. This flight sample is a good way to distinguish “dancers” and “bluets,” two various kinds of damselflies in the US.
You’ll seemingly discover Variable Dancers round closely vegetated ponds, lakes, and streams. Nevertheless, they’ll sometimes be noticed in different aquatic habitats like sandy lakes and rivers. They feed on tiny, flying bugs, together with flies, small moths, mayflies, mosquitoes, termites, and flying ants.
#12. Slaty Skimmer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.8-2.2 in lengthy.
- Males are slaty blue to virtually black with black heads and eyes.
- Females have brown abdomens and darkish stripes working down their backs.
- Each sexes have had a darkish spot on the tip and the forefront of their 4 wings.
These shy dragonflies could be laborious to identify in the US.
Slaty Skimmers want ponds and different still-water habitats which are surrounded by woodlands. They spend a lot of their time perched in sunny spots on close by vegetation or the woodland edge, ready for prey to cross. Then they fly out and seize bugs from midair.
Male Slaty Skimmers are aggressively territorial. They spend a lot of their time zooming round and chasing different males out of their part of shoreline. Chances are you’ll spot them looping and charging at different males. The females, alternatively, are harder to identify and don’t spend a lot time on the shoreline till they’re able to mate.
When the eggs hatch into naiads or nymphs (child dragonflies), they stay within the muck on the backside of ponds or streams. They stay underwater, feeding on different aquatic bugs till they attain maturity, crawl out of the water, and metamorphose into adults.
#13. Halloween Pennant
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults vary from 1.5 to 1.65 inches in size.
- They’ve orange-yellow wings with darkish brown bands and darkish our bodies with a light-weight yellow or orange stripe down their backs.
- Adults typically have pale crimson markings on their faces.
Halloween Pennants are an easy-to-recognize dragonfly in the US!
With their brightly coloured, banded wings, it’s simple to see how they bought their festive title. They’re predominantly discovered round vegetated our bodies of water corresponding to ponds, marshes, and lakes. You may typically spot them perched on the ideas of aquatic vegetation.
Halloween Pennants are highly effective fliers that hunt through the day, chasing different bugs via the air. They’re even in a position to fly throughout rain and powerful winds. They feed totally on smaller bugs like gnats, mosquitoes, and flies however sometimes take bigger prey, together with different dragonflies.
Not like most dragonflies in the US, Halloween Pennants should not territorial. Males relaxation on vegetation close to the water’s edge whereas ready for females. They primarily mate in flight, forming a wheel form with their our bodies.
#14. Rambur’s Forktail
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.1-1.44 in lengthy.
- Males are inexperienced with blue belly segments close to their rear.
- Females might seem just like males, or orange-red or olive inexperienced.
Rambur’s Forktails are damselflies that like habitats with slow-moving or nonetheless water, vegetation, and daylight in the US. They’re extremely widespread, and yow will discover them flying round ponds, lakes, and marshes. Whereas they by no means stay in saltwater, they’ve been noticed round brackish and sulfurous waters.
Most forktails want to perch amongst vegetation, however Rambur’s Forktails typically fly alongside open shorelines and perch on naked floor. They feed on soft-bodied flying bugs like mosquitoes and small moths.
Not like their grownup counterparts, the larval forktails, referred to as naiads, don’t spend time within the open. They like dense vegetation alongside shorelines. They feed on a variety of aquatic bugs and small crustaceans. When mature, the naiads crawl out of the water and shed their skins, metamorphosing into adults.
#15. Frequent Inexperienced Darner
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults develop as much as 3 in lengthy.
- Each sexes have unmarked inexperienced thoraces, bull’s eye marks on their faces, and clear wings that always change into amber-tinted with age.
- Males have bluish-purple abdomens with a black stripe down them.
- Females might seem like males or have reddish-brown abdomens.
Inexperienced Darners are the most typical dragonflies in the US.
Named for his or her resemblance to darning needles, these dragonflies are practically not possible to overlook! They’re additionally one of many largest dragonfly species alive immediately.
Not like many dragonflies, some populations of Frequent Inexperienced Darners migrate. Notably in winter, they journey as far south as Panama. They’re widespread summertime residents of the northern US and southern Canada, and infrequently, vagrant people are noticed properly exterior their regular vary. They’ve been recognized to point out up as distant as Japan, Russia, Bermuda, France, and the UK! Researchers suspect these are people who had been blown off target throughout storms.
Frequent Inexperienced Darner migration is advanced and difficult to review. Researchers now suspect a full migration takes place over a minimum of three generations. The primary technology emerges in spring within the southern a part of the vary and travels north in the summertime. The second technology emerges within the northern a part of their vary in summer season and migrates south through the fall. The third technology emerges within the southern a part of the vary through the winter and doesn’t migrate. Then the cycle begins once more with the following technology.
When researchers geared up Frequent Inexperienced Darners with micro radio transmitters, they discovered that these large dragonflies traveled about 10 miles per hour and as much as 87 miles in a single day!
#16. Variegated Meadowhawk
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.63-1.92 in lengthy.
- Males are darkish brown or black with crimson faces and eyes and brilliant crimson, pink, or golden brown abdomens.
- Females are comparable in look however duller in shade; grey and yellow typically substitute the males’ crimson, they usually have brownish and lavender eyes.
Variegated Meadowhawks are a few of the flashiest dragonflies in the US!
You’ll seemingly spot this ornate species round nonetheless or slow-moving waters, together with ponds, swamps, lakes, and streams. They’re agile predators that feed on soft-bodied flying bugs, together with mosquitoes, flies, small moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.
These bugs are savvy vacationers and navigators. They’re a migratory species of dragonfly that completes their migration over a couple of generations. They journey into the northern US and Canada and migrate as far south as Honduras and Belize. They often seem in northern areas within the spring, and the following technology departs southward in late summer season.
Variegated Meadowhawks fly low throughout migration and navigate visually by the solar. Researchers imagine this distinctive method might give them a bonus over different migratory species as local weather change continues to have an effect on climate patterns.
Regardless of their migratory nature, male Variegated Meadowhawks are extraordinarily territorial. They fly low, patrolling sections of open water and infrequently perch whereas looking forward to intruders. They’ll chase out different male Variegated Meadowhawks and different species.
#17. Roseate Skimmer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.8-2.2 in lengthy.
- Males are lavender to rosy-purple with metallic purple faces.
- Females are yellow to golden brown.
- Each sexes characteristic clear wings with brown pterostigmata (thickened cells) on the forefront.
It’s not possible to overlook this dragonfly in the US!
These giant skimmers are sturdy, showy fliers, and the males have a definite, lovely look. Their rosy pink shade is uncommon amongst bugs and even birds, making them simple to establish.
You’re almost certainly to identify Roseate Skimmers round water sources like ponds, marshes, ditches, and small swimming pools of water. Right here, they spend time feeding on small flying bugs. They keep away from water sources with considerable Neon Skimmers, one other species that extra aggressively defends its territory.
Male Roseate Skimmers stake out territories over water sources. They typically perch on close by twigs and vegetation and fly out to patrol the realm and thrust back intruders. They’ll aggressively defend their territory from different male Roseate Skimmers.
#18. Flame Skimmer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.93-2.4 in lengthy.
- Males are fully crimson or darkish orange, together with their eyes, legs, and wing veins.
- Females are medium or darker brown with some skinny yellow markings.
Curiously, the Flame Skimmer’s fiery shade matches its habitat desire. These dragonflies are typically discovered round scorching springs or heat ponds in the US.
Flame Skimmers typically hunt from perches on twigs or rocks. After they spot prey, they fly out after it. Their food plan is made up of soft-bodied bugs, together with mosquitoes, mayflies, butterflies, flies, moths, and termites.
Larval-stage Flame Skimmers, referred to as naiads, hunt equally to adults. To keep away from predators, they lurk within the mud on the backside of the water, ready to seize prey that passes by. The naiads are extremely profitable hunters and eat insect larvae, freshwater shrimp, small fish, and tadpoles.
#19. Vivid Dancer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.16-1.38 in lengthy.
- Males are brilliant blue or violet-blue and have black markings.
- Females could also be a blue morph resembling males or a crimson morph with subdued crimson or orange coloration.
These beautiful damselflies stay in numerous habitats in the US.
They’ve an intensive vary as a consequence of their uncommon capability to thermoregulate. They do that by shifting to totally different websites all through the day. At evening, they settle into sheltered bushes to keep away from warmth loss, however through the day, they transfer into open or skinny forest areas to bask within the solar.
Vivid Dancers use our bodies of water for mating, egg-laying, and their larval stage. They typically select areas with close by woods, sedge vegetation, and rocks.
Though they’re recognized for his or her brilliant blue shade, Vivid Dancers aren’t all the time blue. They might seem crimson, brown, or gray relying on the intercourse, kind of morph, and temperature. In some populations, Vivid Dancers might seem noticeably brighter or lighter coloured as temperatures rise above 25°C (77°F) through the day.
#20. Pacific Forktail
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 0.91-1.18 in lengthy.
- Males are black with good blue on the edges, 4 blue dots on prime, and a blue band close to the tip of their stomach.
- Females are practically all brown or black, however some resemble males.
The Pacific Forktail is commonly the primary damselfly in the US to emerge in spring and the final you’ll spot within the fall. You’re almost certainly to search out them round lowland, calm-water habitats corresponding to ponds, marshes, wetlands, and sluggish streams. They’re additionally typically considerable round alkaline and saline ponds.
Regardless of their small dimension and delicate look, Pacific Forktails are fierce predators. Adults feed on numerous soft-bodied flying bugs, together with mosquitoes, mayflies, flies, and moths, by grabbing them out of the air. These intelligent damselflies will even seize aphids and different small bugs from vegetation.
Whereas females typically spend a lot of their time away from the water, males stick carefully to the shorelines. The males arrange and fiercely guard territories in prime mating and egg-laying habitat. The males that maintain the very best territories are those who get the females.
#21. Blue-eyed Darner
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 2.6-2.8 in lengthy.
- Males are darkish brown with blue eyes, two blue stripes on prime, diagonal blue stripes on the edges, and enormous and small blue spots on their abdomens.
- Females even have blue eyes and the same sample however have a brown base shade and inexperienced markings.
Blue-eyed Darners are widespread dragonflies in the US throughout summer season.
They’re simple to identify round lakes, ponds, slow-moving streams, canals, and marshes. These bugs are inclined to want water our bodies which are surrounded by open areas relatively than woodlands. Blue-eyed Darners are typically discovered round acid bogs and can even tolerate alkaline water circumstances.
Not like many dragonfly species, Blue-eyed Darners typically vary removed from aquatic habitats after they’re not breeding. Chances are you’ll even spot them in metropolis parks, yards, parking heaps, and different city areas. Blue-eyed Darners could also be migratory in some areas, together with California.
Blue-eyed Darners are comparatively giant and well-suited to looking prey in midair. They’ve 360-degree imaginative and prescient, can fly ahead or backward, and might attain speeds as much as 50 miles per hour. Chances are you’ll spot them feeding in giant swarms over the water, taking flying bugs like moths, mosquitoes, flies, termites, and mayflies from the air.
#22. Cardinal Meadowhawk
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.5-1.57 in lengthy.
- Males are virtually fully brilliant crimson with a pair of yellow spots on the higher physique. They’ve brownish wings with crimson veins.
- Females are brownish-red with translucent golden-brown wings.
Cardinal Meadowhawks are named for the males’ flashy brilliant crimson coloring that’s thought to resemble a catholic cardinal’s robes. They inhabit areas round ponds and lakes. You’ll typically spot the males across the shore or over the open water. In distinction, females journey farther from the water, visiting when it’s time to mate and lay eggs.
These brilliantly coloured dragonflies are “perchers.” You’ll typically spot them perched on a twig, plant, or different materials overhanging the water, ready for prey to cross. When an insect flies by them, a Cardinal Meadowhawk will zoom out to catch it with higher than a 95% success price.
This species’ flying abilities aren’t restricted to looking. When the feminine returns to the water to mate, she’ll pair up with a male, they usually’ll assume the “wheel” place, flying with the tip of the male’s stomach related with the feminine’s head and the feminine’s reproductive organ on the male’s stomach. It could look awkward, however they’ll fly this manner surprisingly properly!
#23. Eight-spotted Skimmer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.73-2.01 in lengthy.
- Males are brownish-black with a powder blue or white coating and two giant darkish spots paired with two giant white spots on every of their wings, one close to the bottom and one close to the center.
- Females are comparable in shade however typically have yellow or orange markings alongside the edges of their our bodies and typically lack white markings on the wings.
The noticed wings of those lovely dragonflies in the US make them simple to see within the air. A few of the females of this species have white wing spots just like the males and are the one feminine dragonflies in North America to have them!
Eight-spotted Skimmers want our bodies of water with weedy vegetation and muddy substrates. Nevertheless, it’s possible you’ll not have to go to these locations to search out them. In addition they go to habitats away from the water, together with uplands, clearings, backyards, and parks.
Not like many dragonflies, male Eight-spotted Skimmers don’t guard particular territories. As an alternative, they fly repeatedly via appropriate shoreline habitats and are aggressive in the direction of different male dragonflies, together with these of different species. In addition they spend time perched close to the shore on branches, twigs, or vegetation, providing nice picture alternatives for naturalists!
#24. Striped Meadowhawk
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.34-1.5 in lengthy.
- Males are largely crimson.
- Females are greenish-yellow to olive inexperienced.
- Each sexes have a pair of diagonal yellow stripes on both sides of their our bodies and clear wings which will typically be clouded yellow the place they connect to their our bodies.
Striped Meadowhawks are one of the vital considerable dragonflies in the US.
You may spot these bugs round sluggish and stagnant streams, ponds, ditches, and marshy areas. They spend a lot of their time perched close to the shoreline on naked rocks and branches the place they bask to soak up warmth through the day. Striped Meadowhawks additionally hunt from these perches, flying out and capturing soft-bodied bugs, together with flying ants, flies, small moths, mayflies, and mosquitoes.
Like many dragonflies, male Striped Meadowhawks are territorial. They guard grassy areas close to the water. When it’s time to mate, a feminine will go to a male’s territory and pair up. After they’re completed mating, the pair will stay flying in tandem as the feminine deposits eggs. Spreading out the eggs helps enhance their odds of survival, so a single predator can’t take them .
#25. Band-winged Meadowhawk
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.1-1.4 in lengthy.
- Males have brilliant crimson abdomens with black markings on the edges, darkish crimson faces, and crimson eyes.
- Females are greenish-yellow or orange with crimson and inexperienced eyes and blackish markings on their abdomens.
These brilliant dragonflies in the US are sometimes simple to identify perched close to ponds, marshes, bogs, and fens. They like water sources with a mild move, loads of weedy progress, and tall grasses.
Band-winged Meadowhawks are extremely skillful fliers that may transfer , hover, and fly straight up and down. Males perch excessive above the water and fly out on quick patrols. After they’re able to mate, females go to these areas and pair up with a male.
The eggs hatch into the larval stage, and these naiads stay beneath the water in areas with dense aquatic vegetation. From their hiding locations within the vegetation, the naiads seize passing prey, together with mosquito larvae, mayfly larvae, different fly larvae, small fish, and tadpoles. The larval part can last as long as two years. After they’re mature, the naiads depart the water, crawling out to shed their pores and skin and metamorphosing into adults.
#26. Jap Forktail
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 0.87-1.18 in lengthy.
- Males are inexperienced with black-striped our bodies which have brilliant blue ideas.
- Females are bluish-gray.
Jap Forktails are a few of the most typical damselflies in the US.
You’ll discover them round virtually any wetland, marsh, pond, or slow-moving stream inside their vary. They’re notably keen on water our bodies with grassy or weedy edges.
Regardless of their small dimension, Jap Forktails are aggressive predators that feed on different flying bugs. They’ll chase opponents away and infrequently even prey on different damselflies as giant as themselves! Surprisingly, this aggressive habits is extra widespread in females.
Male Jap Forktails spend most of their time round very best breeding websites, perching in and patrolling areas with dense vegetation. Females are additionally widespread across the water’s edge. The females are monogamous and mate simply as soon as of their life. Regardless of this, they’re nonetheless extremely productive and might lay hundreds of eggs!
#27. Chalk-fronted Corporal
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.6-1.8 in lengthy.
- Males are black with pale shoulder bars and clear wings.
- Females are darkish brown with mild grey on the entrance of their abdomens and clear wings.
Chalk-fronted Corporals like slow-moving water with loads of emergent vegetation for mating and egg laying. You’ll generally spot them round ponds, swamps, marshes, lakes, and bogs. After they’re not mating, they fly in sunny patches of close by forests.
These dragonflies in the US typically perch horizontally on the shoreline or floating objects within the water. From their perches, they hunt, flying upward to seize numerous soft-bodied flying bugs, together with mosquitoes, mayflies, flies, moths, butterflies, and flying ants. If you happen to’re on or close to the water, it’s not unusual to have these dragonflies swooping round you. Don’t fear! They’re simply grabbing the mosquitoes that you just’ve attracted.
Male Chalk-fronted Corporals are aggressive and territorial. They spend lengthy intervals patrolling low and quick over sections of water, with transient intervals of hovering earlier than perching.
Larval dragonflies, referred to as nymphs or naiads, stay in decaying vegetation on the backside of the water. They feed on insect larvae and freshwater shrimp. After they mature, they emerge from the water at evening, shed their pores and skin and metamorphose into adults.
#28. Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 2-2.2 in lengthy.
- Males are brownish with twelve black wing spots (three per wing) and eight white wing spots (two per wing).
- Females are brown with yellow stripes down their abdomens and 12 black wing spots (three per wing).
Like most dragonflies in the US, Twelve-spotted Skimmers like weedy, slow-moving water.
You may spot them round lakes with marshy shorelines and slow-moving streams. Particular person Twelve-spotted Skimmers often have a favourite perch. If one flies from a perch close to you, you must transfer nearer to the situation and stay nonetheless. Odds are they’ll return to land once more in a couple of minutes, and you will get a more in-depth look!
Twelve-spotted Skimmers additionally go to close by fields, prairies, and clearings to hunt, and a few populations migrate. They’re sturdy fliers that feed on virtually any soft-bodied flying insect, together with mosquitoes, flies, small moths, mayflies, flying ants, or termites.
Male Twelve-spotted Skimmers make prolonged flights patrolling shoreline and open water areas, although these territories change day by day. These flashy males will aggressively attempt to fend off different males, together with these of different species. Male Twelve-spotted Skimmers typically get into territorial disputes, making vertical loops within the air. Fortunately these disputes don’t end in bodily hurt. The male that may circle the opposite wins the territory.
#29. Blue-ringed Dancer
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Figuring out Traits:
- Adults are 1.1-1.3 in lengthy.
- Males have blue thoraces with black shoulder and aspect stripes, black abdomens with blue rings and ideas, blue eyespots, and amber-tinted wings.
- Females are brownish and weakly marked.
As their title suggests, their bouncy, dance-like flight patterns will help you distinguish these damselflies from different varieties. They’re fairly widespread, and also you’ll typically spot them round vegetated slow-moving rivers, streams, ditches, and lakes.
Like different dragonflies and damselflies in the US, pairs kind a “wheel” place to mate. This place connects the tip of the male’s stomach with the feminine’s head and the feminine’s reproductive organ on her stomach, with sperm on the male has positioned on his stomach.
After mating, the pair flies gracefully in tandem, with the male greedy the feminine. Researchers have seen that the male’s thorax darkens in shade whereas the pair are flying in tandem.
The females deposit the eggs onto aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch into nymphs or naiads, which stay and feed underwater, preying on aquatic bugs. When mature, they emerge from the water, shed their pores and skin, and metamorphose into grownup damselflies.
Which of those dragonflies have you ever seen in the US?
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