Minnesota Dragonflies and Damselflies

 
Order Odonata

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, about 460 species in 92 genera in 12 families in North America north of Mexico.

Odonata Central lists 140 Odonata species in Minneosta.


four-spotted skimmer

 

 

           

Recent Additions

 
Midland clubtail
   

Midland clubtail (Gomphus fraternus) is an uncommon, early season, medium-sized clubtail. It is found from early June to late July by moderately to fast flowing rivers and large streams, and by large lakes with emergent vegetation. When the adult hunts it perches on the ground or a rock on a bank or shoreline. It is a very strong flier and often patrols open water far from land.

Clubtails (family Gomphidae) are distinguished by expanded abdominal segments 8 and 9 forming a “club”, clear wings with no dark patches, forewing and hindwing triangles similar in size, and eyes that do not meet at the top of the head. Midland clubtail is identified by the moderate-sized club only slightly narrower than the thorax; lack of a black horizontal stripe on the face; and lack of pale dorsal spots on abdominal segments 8 and 9.

  midland clubtail

Shadow darner
   

Shadow darner (Aeshna umbrosa) is a large, common and widespread, mosaic darner. It occurs throughout North America except in the arid southwest and, for some reason, Newfoundland. It is found from late June to late October in shaded areas alongside slow streams, ponds, and swamps. Only the autumn meadowhawk flies later in the year. Adults hunt mostly in the shade and mostly at dusk.

Mosaic darners are similar in size and appearance so a close examination or good photos are required for identification. This species is identified by the absence of a black horizontal stripe across the face; yellow thoracic stripes; relatively straight first thoracic stripe with an extension at the top; pale blue abdominal spots that are smaller than other other mosaic darners; wedge-type claspers on the male; and preference for flying at dusk and in the shade.

  shadow darner

Ebony jewelwing
   

Ebony jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) is a large, showy, broad-winged damselfly. It can be found from late May to early September near shallow, small to medium-sized, canopy covered forest streams and adjacent shaded areas. Adults live on average for 16 to 20 days. They are often noticed in large numbers but for only a short period and then sporadically or not at all until the next year.

Jewelwings in Minnesota are identified by the broad, partially or wholly black wings; and on the female the small white patch near the tip of each wing. This species is identified by the brilliant metallic green or blue body; the broader, wholly black wings that are 3 times as long as wide; and the wider white patch near the wing tip of the female.

  ebony jewelwing

Common green darner
   

This dragonfly is the most common darner in North America. The bright green thorax and face and the large size make this the easiest of all darners to identify. Other identifying features are the black and blue “bull’s eye” between the eyes and, in warm weather on the male, bright blue lateral stripes on the thorax. In cool weather the lateral stripes fade to dark purple. In the fall juveniles flock together and migrate to the southern United States. Their offspring return the following spring.

  common green darner

Other Recent Additions
   

springtime darner (Basiaeschna janata)

  springtime darner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           
     

American emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii)

 

band-winged meadowhawk

belted whiteface

black-tipped darner

chalk-fronted corporal

cherry-faced meadowhawk

common baskettail

common green darner

common whitetail

dot-tailed whiteface

eastern pondhawk

ebony jewelwing

four-spotted skimmer

green-striped darner

Halloween pennant

Illinois river cruiser

lance-tipped darner

midland clubtail

plains clubtail

racket-tailed emerald

red saddlebags

shadow darner

springtime darner

twelve-spotted skimmer

variegated meadowhawk

white-faced meadowhawk

widow skimmer

Profile Photo Photo

autumn meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)

 
Profile Photo Photo

band-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum)

 
Profile Photo  

belted whiteface (Leucorrhinia proxima)

 
     

black meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae)

 
     

black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)

 
  Photo Photo

black-tipped darner (Aeshna tuberculifera)

 
     

blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)

 
     

blue-fronted dancer (Argia apicalis)

 
     

blue-tipped dancer (Argia tibialis)

 
     

boreal whiteface (Leucorrhinia borealis)

 
     

calico pennant (Celithemis elisa)

 
     

Canada darner (Aeshna canadensis)

 
Profile Photo Photo

chalk-fronted corporal (Ladona julia)

 
  Photo Photo

cherry-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)

 
  Photo  

common baskettail (Epitheca cynosura)

 
Profile Photo Photo

common green darner (Anax junius)

 
     

common spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus)

 
  Photo Photo

common whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

 
     

crimson-ringed whiteface (Leucorrhinia glacialis)

 
Profile Photo Photo

dot-tailed whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta)

 
     

eastern amberwing (Perithemis tenera)

 
Profile    

eastern band-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum semicinctum)

 
  Photo Photo

eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)

 
Profile Photo Photo

ebony jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)

 
     

elfin skimmer (Nannothemis bella)

 
     

extra-striped snaketail (Ophiogomphus anomalus)

 
  Photo Photo

familiar bluet (Enallagma civile)

 
     

fawn darner (Boyeria vinosa)

 
     

forcipate emerald (Somatochlora forcipata)

 
  Photo Photo

four-spotted skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata)

 
     

frosted whiteface (Leucorrhinia frigida)

 
     

green-faced clubtail (Gomphus viridifrons)

 
  Photo  

green-striped darner (Aeshna verticalis)

 
  Photo Photo

Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina)

 
     

Hine's Emerald (Somatochlora hineana)

 
     

Hudsonian whiteface (Leucorrhinia hudsonica)

 
Profile Photo  

Illinois river cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis illinoiensis)

 
     

lake darner (Aeshna eremita)

 
  Photo Photo

lance-tipped darner (Aeshna constricta)

 
     

lilypad clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer)

 
     

lyre-tipped spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus)

 
  Photo Photo

marsh bluet (Enallagma ebrium)

 
Profile Photo Photo

midland clubtail (Gomphus fraternus)

 
  Photo  

mustached clubtail (Gomphus adelphus)

 
     

ocellated darner (Boyeria grafiana)

 
  Photo Photo

plains clubtail (Gomphus externus)

 
     

powdered dancer (Argia moesta)

 
     

pronghorn clubtail (Gomphus graslinellus)

 
     

pygmy snaketail (Ophiogomphus howei)

 
     

Quebec emerald (Somatochlora brevicincta)

 
Profile Photo Photo

racket-tailed emerald (Dorocordulia libera)

 
     

rapids clubtail (Gomphus quadricolor)

 
  Photo Photo

red saddlebags (Tramea onusta)

 
     

river jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis)

 
    Photo

ruby meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum)

 
Profile   Photo

saffron-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum)

 
     

St. Croix snaketail (Ophiogomphus susbehcha)

 
Profile Photo Photo

shadow darner (Aeshna umbrosa)

 
     

spiny baskettail (Epitheca spinigera)

 
     

splendid clubtail (Gomphus lineatifrons)

 
     

spotted spreadwing (Lestes congener)

 
     

spot-winged glider (Pantala hymenaea)

 
  Photo  

springtime darner (Basiaeschna janata)

 
     

subarctic darner (Aeshna subarctica)

 
     

sweetflag spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus)

 
  Photo Photo

twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchella)

 
     

variable darner (Aeshna interrupta)

 
Profile Photo Photo

variegated meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

 
     

wandering glider (Pantala flavescens)

 
Profile   Photo

western meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

 
  Photo Photo

white-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)

 
  Photo Photo

widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)

 
     

zigzag darner (Aeshna sitchensis)

 
         

           

 

Profile= Profile

Photo = Photo

Photo = Video

 

No Species Page Yet?

If you do not see a linked page for an insect in the list at left 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.

 

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. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) also uses uncapitalized 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 and NCBI.

 

 

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