# Eastern Amberwing (*Perithemis tenera*) The Eastern Amberwing is a small dragonfly with bright orange wings. They love to flutter around ponds and wetlands, showing off their beautiful colors in the sunlight. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 29 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Eastern Amberwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eastern_amberwing_%2875121%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_amberwing_%2875121%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Amberwing male has striking, entirely amber-orange wings and a reddish-orange body. Females possess clear wings with amber patches at the base and a brown spot near the tip, alongside a yellowish body. Its distinct wing coloration makes it easily identifiable near water. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Perithemis ## Interesting facts - Its babies live underwater for up to a year, breathing with gills! - Males sometimes pretend to be females to sneak past other dominant males! - The female Eastern Amberwing lays her tiny eggs by simply tapping the water! - These small dragonflies can fly backward, sideways, or even hover perfectly still! ## Special abilities - **Eagle Eyesight:** Eastern Amberwings can spot tiny flying prey from a distance because of their large, multifaceted compound eyes. - **Aerobatic Master:** Eastern Amberwings can fly in any direction, including backward, because of their independently operating four wings that help them dodge. - **Sun Power:** The Eastern Amberwing can warm up quickly by basking in the sun because of its dark body and broad wings that absorb heat. - **Shape-Shifting Larva:** Eastern Amberwing larvae can breathe underwater because of specialized gills, allowing them to live hidden in aquatic environments. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-50 mm - **Size:** 19-28 mm - **Lifespan:** 28-42 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding As an adult, this dragonfly is an insectivore, expertly catching small flying insects like mosquitoes and flies. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic invertebrates and larvae, while adults exclusively prey on flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitos, gnats, midges, small flies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — eats these common blood-feeding insects - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — captures and consumes these flying insects - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — adults can be prey for larger amphibians - **Eaten by:** [Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner) (*Anax junius*) — larger dragonflies may prey on them ## Traits - [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 Dragonflies are friendly and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Amberwing? 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 Eastern Amberwing's wingspan? 40-50 mm ### How big is Eastern Amberwing? 19-28 mm ### How long does Eastern Amberwing live? 28-42 days ### How fast can Eastern Amberwing fly? 18 km/h ### What does Eastern Amberwing eat? As an adult, this dragonfly is an insectivore, expertly catching small flying insects like mosquitoes and flies. ### Where is Eastern Amberwing usually found? Wetlands ### How does Eastern Amberwing hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alfred-b-maclay-gardens-state-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Fort Caroline](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-caroline) — Florida, US · National Park - [Gloucester Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gloucester-downtown-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Mesilla Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesilla-plaza) — New Mexico, US · Park - [Missouri Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/missouri-botanical-garden) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Eastern Amberwing](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-amberwing) ## 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: [Eastern Amberwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-amberwing)