# Double-ringed Pennant (*Celithemis verna*) The Double-ringed Pennant is a colorful dragonfly with bright yellow and black markings. It loves to fly around ponds and marshes, showing off its beautiful wings. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Double-ringed Pennant](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Double-ringed_Pennant_-_Celithemis_verna%252C_Patuxent_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Laurel%252C_Maryland_-_9090315984.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double-ringed_Pennant_-_Celithemis_verna%252C_Patuxent_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Laurel%252C_Maryland_-_9090315984.jpg) ## Appearance The Double-ringed Pennant is a medium-sized dragonfly with a slender body. Males often display a vibrant reddish-orange body and distinct dark spots on each wing, appearing as 'double rings.' Females are typically a yellowish-brown, lacking the strong red coloration. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Celithemis ## Interesting facts - A dragonfly's huge eyes have thousands of tiny lenses, giving them incredible, almost 360-degree vision. - Dragonflies are ancient insects; their ancestors flew over 300 million years ago! - These dragonflies can fly backwards and sideways, not just forwards, making them amazing fliers! - They spend most of their life underwater as a predatory nymph before ever taking flight! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobaatics:** Double-ringed Pennant can hover perfectly in place because its four independent wings help them scan for prey. - **Super Sight:** Double-ringed Pennant has nearly 360-degree vision with enormous compound eyes that helps them detect tiny flying insects. - **Color Shifter:** Double-ringed Pennant males develop vibrant red colors as they mature, helping them attract mates and define territory. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 48-68 mm - **Size:** 32-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-42 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This speedy dragonfly is an expert hunter, catching and eating other flying insects in mid-air! - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic insects underwater, while adults hunt flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, gnats, flies, midges, small moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — adults are a quick snack for some birds - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — frogs often prey on resting dragonflies - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — helps control mosquito populations - **Eaten by:** [Bluegill](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bluegill) (*Lepomis macrochirus*) — nymphs are hunted by fish underwater ## Traits - [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 friendly and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Double-ringed 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 Double-ringed Pennant's wingspan? 48-68 mm ### How big is Double-ringed Pennant? 32-45 mm ### How long does Double-ringed Pennant live? 14-42 days ### How fast can Double-ringed Pennant fly? 20 km/h ### What does Double-ringed Pennant eat? This speedy dragonfly is an expert hunter, catching and eating other flying insects in mid-air! ### Where is Double-ringed Pennant usually found? Wetlands ### How does Double-ringed Pennant hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Sears - Bellows Pond County Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sears-bellows-pond-county-park) — New York, US · 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: [Double-ringed Pennant: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/double-ringed-pennant)