# Blue Corporal (*Ladona deplanata*) The Blue Corporal is a beautiful dragonfly with bright blue colors. It loves to fly around ponds and wetlands, catching little bugs in mid-air. Watching them zoom is a fun sight! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 22 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Blue Corporal](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Blue_Corporal_%284328133326%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: John Flannery from Richmond County, North Carolina, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Corporal_%284328133326%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Blue Corporal is a stout dragonfly, with adult males sporting a striking powdery blue abdomen that contrasts with black markings near the tip. Females are typically yellowish-brown. Their clear wings often have dark veins and a small black spot at the leading edge. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Ladona ## Interesting facts - A male Blue Corporal will fiercely guard his sunny pond territory from rivals. - Blue Corporal nymphs can shoot water out their rear to jet propel themselves! - Their wings beat so fast, they often hum while hovering like tiny helicopters. - They are one of the first dragonflies to emerge in early spring each year. ## Special abilities - **Super Sight:** Blue Corporal can spot tiny prey from far away because its huge compound eyes give it nearly 360-degree vision. - **Aerial Acrobats:** Blue Corporal can dart, hover, and even fly backward, thanks to independent wing control that makes it an expert flyer. - **Underwater Hunter:** Blue Corporal nymphs have a lightning-fast extendable lower jaw that shoots out to grab unsuspecting underwater prey. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-65 mm - **Size:** 28-36 mm - **Lifespan:** 28-42 days - **Flight Speed:** 15-40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They are fierce insect hunters, catching other bugs both as nymphs underwater and as flying adults! - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt underwater prey like tadpoles, while adults catch flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, flies, gnats, midges, tadpoles, small aquatic insects - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common Malaria Mosquito (*Anopheles quadrimaculatus*) — Adults prey on these flying insects. - **Hunts:** Lake Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Adults catch these small flying insects in mid-air. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Fish, especially bass, prey on Blue Corporal nymphs. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Frogs will ambush and eat adult dragonflies. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Insectivorous birds like kingbirds hunt adult dragonflies. ## 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. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [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. - [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. - [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 Dragonflies are harmless and fun to watch, but don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blue Corporal? 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 Blue Corporal's wingspan? 45-65 mm ### How big is Blue Corporal? 28-36 mm ### How long does Blue Corporal live? 28-42 days ### How fast can Blue Corporal fly? 15-40 km/h ### What does Blue Corporal eat? They are fierce insect hunters, catching other bugs both as nymphs underwater and as flying adults! ### Where is Blue Corporal usually found? Wetlands ### How does Blue Corporal hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Shimek State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shimek-state-forest) — Iowa, US · Forest - [Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wellfleet-bay-wildlife-sanctuary) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Belleplain State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belleplain-state-forest) — New Jersey, US · Forest - [Brierfield Furnace](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brierfield-furnace) — Alabama, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Blue Corporal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/blue-corporal) ## 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: [Blue Corporal: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-corporal)