Minnesota Dragonflies

 

Infraorder Anisoptera

Odonata is the order of insects that is distinguished by a number of morphological features. Adults have minute antennae; extremely large eyes that fill most of the head; two pairs of transparent, membranous wings with many small veins; and a long slender abdomen. Nymphs (larval stage) have posterior tracheal gills and a prehensile labium (extendible jaws underneath the head). The order includes dragonflies and damselflies.

There are about 6,000 Odonata species in about 600 genera in 29 families worldwide. In North America there are 462 species in 90 genera in 12 families. Odonata Central lists 151 Odonata species in Minnesota.

Until recently, the order Odonata included three suborders: Anisoptera, the dragonflies; Zygoptera, the damselflies; and Anisozyoptera, morphologically intermediate between the other two. Recent research has shown the suborder Anisozyoptera is not a natural group. The suborder was abandoned in 2003 and the new suborder Epiprocta was created. Epiprocta contains two infraorders: Anisoptera, containing the dragonflies; and Epiophlebioptera, containing the former Anisozyoptera species. Epiophlebioptera contains just three living species, none of which occur in North America.

Dragonflies are similar to damselflies but are larger; the bodies are more stout; the heads are bulbous, nearly as long as wide; the compound eyes meet at the top of the head (except in clubtails); the hindwings are larger and a different shape than the forewings; the wings and are held flat and away from the body when at rest; the flight is agile, strong, and sustained; and the ovipositor, if present, is nonfunctional except in some darners.

There are about 3,016 still surviving (extant) dragonfly species in 349 genera in 12 families worldwide. In North America north of Mexico there are 330 species in 69 genera in 8 families. Odonata Central lists 109 dragonfly species in Minnesota.

It has been proposed by Rehn (2003) that the Anisoptera/Anisozygoptera group be combined into a new suborder Epiprocta. This reordering has not been universally accepted.

  four-spotted skimmer  
     

 

Recent Additions

Canada darner

Canada darner (Aeshna canadensis) is a large mosaic darner. It occurs across the northern United States and southern Canada. It is the most common blue darner in Minnesota, where it occurs throughout the state except for the western prairie counties. It is a late-season dragonfly, not appearing until late June and flying to the end of September.

Adults are about 2¾ long. The body is dark brown with blue, green, or yellow markings that darken in cool temperatures. Males always have mostly blue markings. Females have three color forms; blue, green, and yellow. Most females are green form. Blue form females are rare.

  Canada darner

Photo by Wander Without Wifi

There are at least ten blue darner dragonfly species found in Minnesota and they are difficult to tell apart. Canada darner is most easily distinguished by the lateral stripes on the thorax. The front stripe is deeply notched, is narrowed toward the top, and has a narrow rearward extension (flag) at the top. The rear lateral stripe is not notched. Like all mosaic dragonflies, there is a black T-shaped spot on the upper part of the face just below where the eyes meet. This is best seen when viewed from above. There is no bold black horizontal stripe across the middle of the face.

Lake darner

Lake darner (Aeshna eremita) is the largest mosaic darner (genus Aeshna) in North America. It is a late-season dragonfly, flying to the end of September. It is found throughout Canada, the northern United States, and the Rocky Mountains. In Minnesota it is fairly common in the northern third of the state.

The adult hunts mostly during the day but also sometimes at dusk. It is a strong flier but does not hover during flight. When hunting it cruises above the water surface with its abdomen slightly arched. It often feeds in swarms, sometimes in great numbers, often with other dragonfly species. It often perches vertically on tree trunks, rarely on the ground.

  lake darner

There are at least ten blue darner dragonfly species found in Minnesota and they are notoriously difficult to tell apart in the field. Lake darner is distinguished by its large size, the first lateral thoracic stripe that is deeply notched and has a dot in the notch, and a black line through the upper face.

Frosted whiteface

Frosted whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida) is a small “skimmer” dragonfly. It is fairly common in the upper Midwest, more common in the northeast. It is found from mid-May to mid-August at the edges of boggy or marshy ponds and lakes. It forages by perching on low plants at the waters edge. While the female deposits her eggs her mate will guard her by snatching and holding a rival male until the eggs are laid.

  frosted whiteface

Whitefaces (genus Leucorrhinia) are identified by their white face, small black patch at the base of each wing, and black legs. Frosted whiteface males are distinguished by a brown thorax with no red markings; abdominal segments one through four covered with a whitish, waxy bloom (frosted); and the region of the wing just beyond the forewing triangle having just two rows of cells, not three. Females and juveniles are difficult to distinguish from other whitefaces.

Four-spotted skimmer

Four-spotted skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) is common, widespread, and misnamed.

Eight-spotted skimmer has two large spots on each wing for a total of eight. Twelve-spotted skimmer has three large dark spots on each wing for a total of twelve. Four-spotted skimmer has two small dark spots on each wing and one large spot on each hindwing for a total of ten. A more appropriate name might be ten-spotted skimmer (Libellula decamaculata).

  four-spotted skimmer

Four-spotted skimmer is an early season, medium-sized skimmer. It is found from mid-May to September at the edges of boggy lakes and ponds, fens, and slow streams. It is usually seen perched at the top of a tall emergent plant or a weed, often far from water.

It is easily identified up close by the two dark spots on the leading edge of each wing. It is further distinguished by the bright yellowish-brown color on the thorax and front half of the abdomen of juveniles, amber streak with yellow veins at the leading edge of each wing on juveniles, black patch at the base of the hindwing, and narrow yellow stripe on each side of the abdomen. Unlike other skimmers, the female abdomen is tapered like the males, not parallel-sided.

Green-faced clubtail

Green-faced clubtail (Hylogomphus viridifrons) is an early season, medium-sized clubtail. While it is more common in the northeast than in Minnesota, it is uncommon and considered rare over most of its range. It is found from mid-May to mid-July near rapid medium streams and rivers with gravel, silt, sand, and rocks on the bottom. Males are most active in late afternoon, especially under cloud cover.

Green-faced clubtail is distinguished by the face with only light markings, missing middle stripe on the side of the thorax, unusually small abdominal spots, no spots on abdominal segments 8 through 10, and abdominal segment 9 shorter than segment 8.

  green-faced clubtail
Other Recent Additions

dragonflies (Infraorder Anisoptera)

plains clubtail (Gomphurus externus)

cobra clubtail (Gomphurus vastus)

pronghorn clubtail (Phanogomphus graslinellus)

Hudsonian whiteface (Leucorrhinia hudsonica)

  plains clubtail

Photo by Dan W. Andree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This list includes only dragonflies that have been recorded in Minnesota, but not all of the dragonflies found in Minnesota.

 

Profile Photo Video      
       

American emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii)

autumn meadowhawk

band-winged meadowhawk

belted whiteface

black saddlebags

black-tipped darner

blue dasher

Canada darner

chalk-fronted corporal

cherry-faced meadowhawk

cobra clubtail

common baskettail

common green darner

common whitetail

dot-tailed whiteface

dragonfly (Infraorder Anisoptera)

eastern amberwing

eastern pondhawk

four-spotted skimmer

frosted whiteface

green-faced clubtail

green-striped darner

Halloween pennant

horned clubtail

Hudsonian whiteface

Illinois river cruiser

lake darner

lance-tipped darner

lilypad clubtail

meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)

midland clubtail

mustached clubtail

plains clubtail

pronghorn clubtail

racket-tailed emerald

red saddlebags

ruby meadowhawk

rusty snaketail

saffron-winged meadowhawk

shadow darner

spiny baskettail

springtime darner

twelve-spotted skimmer

variegated meadowhawk

white-faced meadowhawk

widow skimmer

       

arrow clubtail (Stylurus spiniceps)

       

arrowhead spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)

       

ashy clubtail (Phanogomphus lividus)

Profile Photo Video  

autumn meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)

Profile Photo Video  

band-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum)

       

beaverpond baskettail (Epitheca canis)

Profile Photo    

belted whiteface (Leucorrhinia proxima)

       

black meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae)

Profile Photo Video  

black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)

       

black-shouldered spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus)

  Photo Video  

black-tipped darner (Aeshna tuberculifera)

Profile Photo Video  

blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)

       

blue-eyed darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)

       

blue-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum ambiguum)

       

boreal snaketail (Ophiogomphus colubrinus)

       

boreal whiteface (Leucorrhinia borealis)

       

brush-tipped emerald (Somatochlora walshii)

       

calico pennant (Celithemis elisa)

Profile Photo Video  

Canada darner (Aeshna canadensis)

       

Carolina saddlebags (Tramea carolina)

Profile Photo Video  

chalk-fronted corporal (Ladona julia)

  Photo Video  

cherry-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)

Profile Photo Video  

cobra clubtail (Gomphurus vastus)

  Photo    

common baskettail (Epitheca cynosura)

Profile Photo Video  

common green darner (Anax junius)

  Photo Video  

common whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

       

crimson-ringed whiteface (Leucorrhinia glacialis)

       

crimson-ringed whiteface (Leucorrhinia glacialis)

       

Cyrano darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha)

       

delicate emerald (Somatochlora franklini)

Profile Photo Video  

dot-tailed whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta)

Profile Photo Video  

dragonflies (Infraorder Anisoptera)

       

dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus)

       

dusky clubtail (Phanogomphus spicatus)

  Photo Video  

eastern amberwing (Perithemis tenera)

       

eastern least clubtail (Stylogomphus albistylus)

  Photo Video  

eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)

       

ebony boghaunter (Williamsonia fletcheri)

       

elfin skimmer (Nannothemis bella)

       

elusive clubtail (Stylurus notatus)

       

extra-striped snaketail (Ophiogomphus anomalus)

       

fawn darner (Boyeria vinosa)

       

forcipate emerald (Somatochlora forcipata)

Profile Photo Video  

four-spotted skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata)

Profile Photo Video  

frosted whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida)

       

great blue skimmer (Libellula vibrans)

       

great spreadwing (Archilestes grandis)

Profile Photo    

green-faced clubtail (Hylogomphus viridifrons)

  Photo    

green-striped darner (Aeshna verticalis)

  Photo Video  

Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina)

       

harlequin darner (Gomphaeschna furcillata)

       

Hine’s Emerald (Somatochlora hineana)

Profile Photo Video  

horned clubtail (Arigomphus cornutus)

Profile Photo Video  

Hudsonian whiteface (Leucorrhinia hudsonica)

Profile Photo    

Illinois river cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis illinoiensis)

       

jade clubtail (Arigomphus submedianus)

       

Kennedy’s emerald (Somatochlora kennedyi)

Profile Photo Video  

lake darner (Aeshna eremita)

       

lake emerald (Somatochlora cingulata)

       

lancet clubtail (Phanogomphus exilis)

  Photo Video  

lance-tipped darner (Aeshna constricta)

Profile Photo Video  

lilypad clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer)

Profile Photo Video  

meadowhawks (Sympetrum spp.)

Profile Photo Video  

midland clubtail (Gomphurus fraternus)

  Photo    

mustached clubtail (Hylogomphus adelphus)

       

ocellated darner (Boyeria grafiana)

       

ocellated emerald (Somatochlora minor)

Profile Photo Video  

plains clubtail (Gomphurus externus)

       

plains emerald (Somatochlora ensigera)

       

prince baskettail (Epitheca princeps)

Profile Photo Video  

pronghorn clubtail (Phanogomphus graslinellus)

       

pygmy snaketail (Ophiogomphus howei)

       

Quebec emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta)

Profile Photo Video  

racket-tailed emerald (Dorocordulia libera)

       

rapids clubtail (Phanogomphus quadricolor)

  Photo Video  

red saddlebags (Tramea onusta)

       

red-veined meadowhawk (Sympetrum madidum)

       

riffle snaketail (Ophiogomphus carolus)

       

ringed emerald (Somatochlora albicincta)

       

riverine clubtail (Stylurus amnicola)

       

royal river cruiser (Macromia taeniolata)

  Photo Video  

ruby meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum)

       

russet-tipped clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus)

Profile Photo Video  

rusty snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis)

Profile Photo Video  

saffron-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum)

       

St. Croix snaketail (Ophiogomphus susbehcha)

Profile Photo Video  

shadow darner (Aeshna umbrosa)

       

Sioux snaketail (Ophiogomphus smithi)

       

skillet clubtail (Gomphurus ventricosus)

       

ski-tipped emerald (Somatochlora elongata)

       

slaty skimmer (Libellula incesta)

       

smoky shadowdragon (Neurocordulia molesta)

       

spatterdock darner (Rhionaeschna mutata)

Profile Photo Video  

spiny baskettail (Epitheca spinigera)

       

splendid clubtail (Gomphurus lineatifrons)

       

spot-winged glider (Pantala hymenaea)

  Photo    

springtime darner (Basiaeschna janata)

       

stream cruiser (Didymops transversa)

       

striped saddlebags (Tramea calverti)

       

Stygian shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis)

       

subarctic darner (Aeshna subarctica)

       

swamp darner (Epiaeschna heros)

  Photo Video  

twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchella)

       

twin-spotted spiketail (Cordulegaster maculata)

       

unicorn clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes)

       

variable darner (Aeshna interrupta)

Profile Photo Video  

variegated meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

       

wandering glider (Pantala flavescens)

  Photo Video  

white-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)

  Photo Video  

widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)

       

Williamson’s emerald (Somatochlora williamsoni)

       

zebra clubtail (Stylurus scudderi)

       

zigzag darner (Aeshna sitchensis)

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

       

 

Aeshna canadensis (Canada darner)

Aeshna constricta (lance-tipped darner)

Aeshna eremita (lake darner)

Aeshna interrupta (variable darner)

Aeshna sitchensis (zigzag darner)

Aeshna subarctica (subarctic darner)

Aeshna tuberculifera (black-tipped darner)

Aeshna umbrosa (shadow darner)

Aeshna verticalis (green-striped darner)

Anax junius (common green darner)

Anisoptera (dragonflies)

Archilestes grandis (great spreadwing)

Arigomphus cornutus (horned clubtail)

Arigomphus furcifer (lilypad clubtail)

Arigomphus submedianus (jade clubtail)

Arigomphus villosipes (unicorn clubtail)

Basiaeschna janata (springtime darner)

Boyeria grafiana (ocellated darner)

Boyeria vinosa (fawn darner)

Celithemis elisa (calico pennant)

Celithemis eponina (Halloween pennant)

Cordulegaster maculata (twin-spotted spiketail)

Cordulegaster obliqua (arrowhead spiketail)

Cordulia shurtleffii (American emerald)

Didymops transversa (stream cruiser)

Dorocordulia libera (racket-tailed emerald)

Dromogomphus spinosus (black-shouldered spinyleg)

Epiaeschna heros (swamp darner)

Epitheca canis (beaverpond baskettail)

Epitheca cynosura (common baskettail)

Epitheca princeps (prince baskettail)

Epitheca spinigera (spiny baskettail)

Erythemis simplicicollis (eastern pondhawk)

Gomphaeschna furcillata (harlequin darner)

Gomphurus externus (plains clubtail)

Gomphurus fraternus (midland clubtail)

Gomphurus lineatifrons (splendid clubtail)

Gomphurus vastus (cobra clubtail)

Gomphurus ventricosus (skillet clubtail)

Hagenius brevistylus (dragonhunter)

Hylogomphus adelphus (mustached clubtail)

Hylogomphus viridifrons (green-faced clubtail)

Ladona julia (chalk-fronted corporal)

Leucorrhinia borealis (boreal whiteface)

Leucorrhinia frigida (frosted whiteface)

Leucorrhinia glacialis (crimson-ringed whiteface)

Leucorrhinia glacialis (crimson-ringed whiteface)

Leucorrhinia hudsonica (Hudsonian whiteface)

Leucorrhinia intacta (dot-tailed whiteface)

Leucorrhinia proxima (belted whiteface)

Libellula incesta (slaty skimmer)

Libellula luctuosa (widow skimmer)

Libellula pulchella (twelve-spotted skimmer)

Libellula quadrimaculata (four-spotted skimmer)

Libellula vibrans (great blue skimmer)

Macromia illinoiensis illinoiensis (Illinois river cruiser)

Macromia taeniolata (royal river cruiser)

Nannothemis bella (elfin skimmer)

Nasiaeschna pentacantha (Cyrano darner)

Neurocordulia molesta (smoky shadowdragon)

Neurocordulia yamaskanensis (Stygian shadowdragon)

Ophiogomphus anomalus (extra-striped snaketail)

Ophiogomphus carolus (riffle snaketail)

Ophiogomphus colubrinus (boreal snaketail)

Ophiogomphus howei (pygmy snaketail)

Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis (rusty snaketail)

Ophiogomphus smithi (Sioux snaketail)

Ophiogomphus susbehcha (St. Croix snaketail)

Pachydiplax longipennis (blue dasher)

Pantala flavescens (wandering glider)

Pantala hymenaea (spot-winged glider)

Perithemis tenera (eastern amberwing)

Phanogomphus exilis (lancet clubtail)

Phanogomphus graslinellus (pronghorn clubtail)

Phanogomphus lividus (ashy clubtail)

Phanogomphus quadricolor (rapids clubtail)

Phanogomphus spicatus (dusky clubtail)

Plathemis lydia (common whitetail)

Rhionaeschna multicolor (blue-eyed darner)

Rhionaeschna mutata (spatterdock darner)

Somatochlora albicincta (ringed emerald)

Somatochlora brevicincta (Quebec emerald)

Somatochlora cingulata (lake emerald)

Somatochlora elongata (ski-tipped emerald)

Somatochlora ensigera (plains emerald)

Somatochlora forcipata (forcipate emerald)

Somatochlora franklini (delicate emerald)

Somatochlora hineana (Hine’s Emerald)

Somatochlora kennedyi (Kennedy’s emerald)

Somatochlora minor (ocellated emerald)

Somatochlora walshii (brush-tipped emerald)

Somatochlora williamsoni (Williamson’s emerald)

Stylogomphus albistylus (eastern least clubtail)

Stylurus amnicola (riverine clubtail)

Stylurus notatus (elusive clubtail)

Stylurus plagiatus (russet-tipped clubtail)

Stylurus scudderi (zebra clubtail)

Stylurus spiniceps (arrow clubtail)

Sympetrum ambiguum (blue-faced meadowhawk)

Sympetrum corruptum (variegated meadowhawk)

Sympetrum costiferum (saffron-winged meadowhawk)

Sympetrum danae (black meadowhawk)

Sympetrum internum (cherry-faced meadowhawk)

Sympetrum madidum (red-veined meadowhawk)

Sympetrum obtrusum (white-faced meadowhawk)

Sympetrum rubicundulum (ruby meadowhawk)

Sympetrum semicinctum (band-winged meadowhawk)

Sympetrum spp. (meadowhawks)

Sympetrum vicinum (autumn meadowhawk)

Tramea calverti (striped saddlebags)

Tramea carolina (Carolina saddlebags)

Tramea lacerata (black saddlebags)

Tramea onusta (red saddlebags)

Williamsonia fletcheri (ebony boghaunter)

 

 

No Species Page Yet?

If you do not see a linked page for an insect in the list at left, or the insect does not appear in the list, you can still upload a photo or video or report a sighting for that insect. Click on one of the buttons below and type in the common name and/or scientific name of the insect in your photo, video, or sighting. A new page will be created for that insect featuring your contribution.

These buttons not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.

 

Capitalization of Common Names

Insect scientific names are governed by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Vernacular (common) names are not. In an attempt to “assure the uniformity of (common) names of common insects” the Entomological Society of America (ESA) published Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms. ESA has no rule or guideline that addresses capitalization of common names. However, the database of common names published by ESA does not capitalize common names. Most other sources, including ITIS, BAMONA, Odonata Central, and the Peterson Field Guides, capitalize common insect names. MinnesotaSeasons.com will adhere to the convention followed by ESA.

 

 

 

© MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved.

About Us

Privacy Policy

Contact Us