Eastern Pondhawk

Erythemis simplicicollis

The Eastern Pondhawk is a bright green dragonfly that loves to fly around ponds and wetlands. They are fast and can catch other insects in mid-air, making them great hunters!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Eastern Pondhawk has a robust body and distinctive coloring. Males are a striking powdery blue with a black tipped abdomen, while females and juveniles are vibrant green. Its stout body and clear wings differentiate it from many other slender dragonflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusErythemis

Eastern Pondhawk

Interesting facts

Dragonfly larvae, called naiads, live underwater for years before they become adults!

Eastern Pondhawks are amazing bug zappers, eating thousands of mosquitoes and other pests in their lifetime!

Imagine flying backwards! Eastern Pondhawks are incredible aerialists who can do just that with ease.

These ancient insects were around when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, making them living fossils!

Special abilities

Eastern Pondhawk has four independently moving wings that help it fly forward, backward, and even hover perfectly still.

Young Eastern Pondhawks can ambush prey underwater using a special hinged jaw that shoots out to grab food.

Eastern Pondhawk males change from bright green to brilliant blue as they get older, making them stand out.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 60-80 mm
Size: 40-50 mm
Lifespan: 30-90 days
Flight Speed: 25 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

These aerial hunters feast on smaller insects, helping to keep mosquito populations in check!

Age differences: Larvae (naiads) are aquatic predators, eating tadpoles and other small aquatic insects; adults eat flying insects.

Primary Foods

mosquitoes
flies
small butterflies
moths
smaller dragonflies

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Common Mosquito

Culex pipiens

Eastern Pondhawks are major predators of adult mosquitoes.

eats

House Fly

Musca domestica

Adult pondhawks consume various small flying insects, including flies.

eaten by

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Birds like kingbirds prey on adult Eastern Pondhawks.

eaten by

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fish frequently consume Eastern Pondhawk larvae (naiads) in water.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Aerial

Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

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.