# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Band-winged Dragonlet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Female_Erythrodiplax_umbrata_%282%29.JPG&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Morray assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Female_Erythrodiplax_umbrata_%282%29.JPG) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Erythrodiplax ## 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 - **Omni-Vision Gaze:** Band-winged Dragonlet can see almost 360 degrees with its huge compound eyes, which helps them spot tiny flying prey from far away. - **Aerial Acrobatics:** Band-winged Dragonlet has four independently moving wings that allow it to hover, fly backward, and change direction instantly for agile hunting. - **Underwater Prowler:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Adult dragonlets are a food source for insectivorous birds. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Mosquitofish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-mosquitofish) (*Gambusia holbrooki*) — Fish, like this species, prey on the aquatic nymphs. - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and watch from a distance when you see dragonflies; they are delicate creatures. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Band-winged Dragonlet? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Band-winged Dragonlet's wingspan? 45-65 mm ### How big is Band-winged Dragonlet? 25-38 mm ### How long does Band-winged Dragonlet live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Band-winged Dragonlet fly? 15 km/h ### What does Band-winged Dragonlet eat? They are expert hunters, feasting on small flying insects they catch mid-air. ### Where is Band-winged Dragonlet usually found? Wetlands ### How does Band-winged Dragonlet hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Mounts Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mounts-botanical-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bill-baggs-cape-florida-state-park) — Florida, US · State Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Band-winged Dragonlet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/band-winged-dragonlet)