Emperor dragonflies, with their brilliant blue and green coloration, are beautiful and large predatory insects. Scientifically known as Anax imperator, these insects are native to Europe, the Middle East, Britain, and many other nations in that region of the world. Emperor dragonflies, like other dragonfly species, live out most of their lives as a nymph in freshwater. However, unlike other species, emperor dragonfly nymphs actively hunt using a hooked jaw. These dragonflies take about two years to mature from nymphs into the beautiful flying creatures they become.
The green darner dragonfly, or Anax junius, is a commonly seen native of North America. The dragonfly has a length that runs between two and three inches when fully grown. Green darner dragonflies take their name from their bright green bodies, which is complemented with a long blue tail. These creatures live near water and can be seen flying above lakes and rives from spring through autumn.
Phaon iridipennis, the glistening demoiselle dragonfly, lives in many central and south African nations, including Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ghana. The species is small, with a long blue tail, a short green body, and blue, iridescent wings. The glistening demoiselle is found around fresh water, particularly streams and rivers flowing through the savanna and wooded areas. These dragonflies are common in Africa, but habitat destruction is slowly curtailing their range.
Aeshna mixta, the Migrant Hawker, is a species of dragonfly native to southern and central England. It is small, only around two inches when fully grown. The dragonfly has two sets of wings, spots of blue coloration on an otherwise brown body, and, for males, bright blue eyes. The Migrant Hawker begins life as a nymph in standing water, and stays close to the water for the rest of its life. This dragonfly is common and can be seen all the way into November.
The common whitetail dragonfly, also known as Libellula lydia, is a distinctive dragonfly that lives across much of North America. The dragonfly has a brown body, wings patterned with black spots, and a long white tail. Common whitetails hunt, or hawk, for small insects like mosquitoes, flies, and termites. These dragonflies only reach about two inches in length and are most often found near still bodies of water such as ponds.