Here’s a comprehensive list of the different Types of Dragonfly in the Garden. Read on to know in detail about them!
If you have always wanted to know about the world of different Types of Dragonfly in the Garden, then this post is a must-read!
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Types of Dragonfly in the Garden
There are approximately 5,000 known species of dragonflies worldwide, and around 300 of these can be found in North America. The types you’ll find in your garden will depend on your geographical location, the presence of water bodies nearby, and the types of plants and insects available as food sources.
Here are some common types of dragonflies that might visit gardens across different regions:
1. Emerald Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Somatochlora hineana
Native to: United States
First on the list of different Types of Dragonfly, it belongs to the Corduliidae family. The American emerald is the only one native to North America.
2. River Cruiser Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Macromiidae
Native to: Southwestern Wisconsin, Mississippi
River cruisers are dragonflies popular for their ability to travel long distances along riverbanks and roads. Their standout feature is their bright green eyes.
3. Spiketail Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Cordulegastridae
Native to: North America
Next on the list of different Types of Dragonfly, these have long bodies, are large in size, and have a distinct bright yellow pattern on their brown or black abdomen.
4. Petaltail Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Tachopteryx thoreyi
Native to: East Coast of the United States as far north as New York
Petaltail dragonflies are named after their long and straight tail, resembling petals. They belong to the ancient Petaluridae family, dating back around 150 million years!
5. Saddlebag Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Tramea
Native to: Fiji
These Types of Dragonfly are also famous as “dancing gliders” due to their unique mating dance, during which they lay eggs.
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6. Clubtail Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Gomphus vulgatissimus
Native to: Europe
These Types of Dragonfly have a club-shape tail, earning them the name “clubtails” or “bladetails.” However, this tail feature is more common in males than females.
7. Hawker Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Aeshna juncea
Native to: Palearctic (from Ireland to Japan) and northern North America
They are large dragonflies commonly found in North America. One interesting behavior is their mid-flight mating and egg-laying near water.
8. Skimmer Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Libellulidae
Native to: United States
Skimmers, also known as perchers, are a type of dragonfly commonly found in North America. Skimmers like to rest on crops and plants exposed to sunlight.
9. Tigertail Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Ictinogomphus ferox
Native to: Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic
They are one of the oldest dragonfly species and are commonly found in Australia and New Guinea, preferring slow-moving water bodies like lakes and ponds.
10. Spreadwing Damselfly
Scientific Name: Lestes dryas
Native to: Northern parts of Eurasia and North America
In North America, there are 20 species of spreadwing damselflies that are often found near still or slow-moving water. They perch on plants and crops to search for food.
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11. Darner Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Anax junius
Native to: North America
Darners are a type of dragonfly in the Aeshnidae family, along with hawkers. They have a black body with distinct blue spots and are commonly found near water bodies.
12. Broadwing Damselfly
Scientific Name: Calopteryx aequabilis
Native to: Northern United States and southern Canada
These Types of Dragonfly are famous for their distinctly wide wings and vibrant metallic green or blue hues.
13. Twelve Spotted Skimmer
Scientific Name: Libellula pulchella
Native to: North America
A common Types of Dragonfly, it is recognized by its twelve brown spots across its four wings and white spots between the brown on mature males.
14. Eastern Pondhawk
Scientific Name: Erythemis simplicicollis
Native to: United States, southern Ontario and Quebec, Canada
A species common in Eastern North America, it is popular for its sexual dimorphism where males are blue and females/immature males are green.
15. Blue Emperor Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Anax imperator
Native to: Europe and eastern Asia
A large and powerful species native to Europe and North Africa, notable for its bright blue body and green-tinged thorax.
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16. Red Veined Darter
Scientific Name: Sympetrum fonscolombii
Native to: Central and southern Europe
A dragonfly of the Sympetrum genus, identifiable by its red veins and red-brown body. The color of is body makes it appear menacing!
17. Migrant Hawker
Scientific Name: Aeshna mixta
Native to: Central and southern Europe, north Africa, the Middle East and across Asia to China and Japan
One of the medium Types of Dragonfly, it is popular for its blue and yellow markings and its habit of forming large feeding swarms.
18. Widow Skimmer
Scientific Name: Libellula luctuosa
Native to: United States and southeastern Canada
A common dragonfly in North America, distinguished by its size and the large, whitish-blue patches on its wings.
19. Broad Bodied Chaser
Scientific Name: Libellula depressa
Native to: Europe and Asia
Native to Europe and Asia, this dragonfly is named for its broad, flat body and is known for its aggressive territorial behavior.
20. Blue Dasher
Scientific Name: Pachydiplax longipennis
Native to: North America, Central America, and South America
A common and widespread one in North America, these Types of Dragonfly are recognizable by their blue body and green eyes.
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21. Black Tailed Skimmer
Scientific Name: Orthetrum cancellatum
Native to: Europe and Asia
A European and Asian dragonfly, characterized by its pale yellow to gray body and a black tip on its tail.
22. Southern Hawker
Scientific Name: Aeshna cyanea
Native to: Europe
A large hawker found in Europe and Asia, these Types of Dragonfly are known for their bright green and blue markings and their active, inquisitive behavior.
23. Four-spotted Chaser
Scientific Name: Libellula quadrimaculata
Native to: Europe, Asia, and North America
One of the common Types of Dragonfly across Europe, Asia, and North America, it is named for the dark spots it has on the midpoint of the front edge of each wing.
