Band-winged Dragonlet

Erythrodiplax umbrata

The Band-winged Dragonlet is a tiny dragonfly with beautiful, colorful wings. It loves to flutter around ponds and wetlands, showing off its bright colors to everyone!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Band-winged Dragonlet is a small, robust dragonfly, typically dark-bodied. Males often display a pruinose blue-gray coating on their abdomen and distinct dark brown or black bands across the base and middle of their wings. Females are generally yellowish-brown with less prominent wing markings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusErythrodiplax

Band-winged Dragonlet

Interesting facts

Each of their four wings can move separately, making them incredible flying acrobats!

Fossil dragonflies were gigantic, some with wingspans like a hawk!

Most of a Band-winged Dragonlet's life is spent underwater as a fierce nymph!

These aerial hunters are super speedy, catching other insects right out of the air!

Special abilities

Band-winged Dragonlet can see almost 360 degrees with its huge compound eyes, which helps them spot tiny flying prey from far away.

Band-winged Dragonlet has four independently moving wings that allow it to hover, fly backward, and change direction instantly for agile hunting.

Band-winged Dragonlet nymphs can breathe underwater using internal gills, allowing them to live and hunt efficiently in aquatic environments.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 45-65 mm
Size: 25-38 mm
Lifespan: 30-90 days
Flight Speed: 15 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

They are expert hunters, feasting on small flying insects they catch mid-air.

Age differences: Nymphs hunt aquatic insects, while adults catch flying insects in the air.

Primary Foods

mosquitoes
midges
flies
small moths
butterflies
small wasps

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Adult dragonlets are a food source for insectivorous birds.

eaten by

Eastern Mosquitofish

Gambusia holbrooki

Fish, like this species, prey on the aquatic nymphs.

hunts

Yellow Fever Mosquito

Aedes aegypti

Adults help control populations of various pest mosquitoes.

hunts

Common House Mosquito

Culex pipiens

Dragonlet nymphs and adults consume mosquito larvae and adults.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.