# Calico Pennant (*Celithemis elisa*) The Calico Pennant is a colorful dragonfly with bright red and yellow patterns. They love to fly around sunny areas and can often be seen resting on plants or rocks near water. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Calico Pennant](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Calico_Pennant_%28male%29_-_Celithemis_elisa%252C_Piedmont_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Juliette%252C_Georgia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calico_Pennant_%28male%29_-_Celithemis_elisa%252C_Piedmont_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Juliette%252C_Georgia.jpg) ## Appearance The Calico Pennant is a medium-sized dragonfly with a striking pattern. Its wings are clear but marked with prominent dark brown and reddish-yellow patches, creating a distinct 'calico' or checkerboard effect. The body is typically reddish-brown with yellow markings, making it visually distinct from solid-winged species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Celithemis ## Interesting facts - Calico Pennants can perch and bask in the sun to warm up, just like tiny lizards! - Dragonflies spend most of their life underwater as fierce aquatic predators! - Male Calico Pennants 'patrol' territories over ponds to find a mate and guard it! - These dragonflies can catch flying insects with incredible precision, even in mid-air! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobatics:** Calico Pennant can dart, hover, and fly backwards because of its four independently controlled wings that help them hunt agile prey. - **Super Sight:** Calico Pennant has massive compound eyes that allow it to see almost 360 degrees, helping them spot tiny insects from far away. - **Underwater Ambush:** Calico Pennant nymphs can quickly snatch prey with a hinged lower lip that helps them catch other aquatic creatures. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-60 mm - **Size:** 30-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 35 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They are airborne hunters that snatch other insects right out of the sky! - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic invertebrates underwater; adults hunt flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Flies, Midges, Gnats, Smaller dragonflies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Adult dragonflies are prey for this bird. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Adults and nymphs can be eaten by bullfrogs. - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Adult dragonflies prey on adult mosquitoes. - **Hunts:** Non-biting Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Adult Calico Pennants eat flying midges. - **Eaten by:** Bluegill Sunfish (*Lepomis macrochirus*) — Aquatic nymphs are prey for this fish. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Calico Pennant? 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 Calico Pennant's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Calico Pennant? 30-45 mm ### How long does Calico Pennant live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Calico Pennant fly? 35 km/h ### What does Calico Pennant eat? They are airborne hunters that snatch other insects right out of the sky! ### Where is Calico Pennant usually found? Wetlands ### How does Calico Pennant hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Chadwick Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chadwick-arboretum) — Ohio, US · Botanical Garden - [Gloucester Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gloucester-downtown-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wachusett-meadow-wildlife-sanctuary) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Academy Grove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/academy-grove-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Cherry County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cherry-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Calico Pennant](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/calico-pennant) ## 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: [Calico Pennant: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/calico-pennant)