Emperor Dragonfly

Anax imperator

The Emperor Dragonfly is one of the largest dragonflies and has bright blue and green colors. They are powerful fliers and can be seen near water!

Habitat: Lakes and rivers

Appearance

The Emperor Dragonfly is a large and striking insect. Males have a bright blue abdomen with a black stripe and a vivid green thorax, while females sport a greenish-yellow abdomen. Its large, green eyes dominate its head, making it visually distinct.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyAeshnidaeGenusAnax

Emperor Dragonfly

Interesting facts

Adult Emperor Dragonflies can eat up to 30 mosquitoes in just one meal!

Baby Emperor Dragonflies, called nymphs, live underwater for several years!

Its huge eyes have over 28,000 tiny lenses, seeing almost everything around it!

They can fly straight up or hover in place, just like a miniature helicopter!

Special abilities

Emperor Dragonflies have huge compound eyes that provide an almost complete panoramic view to easily spot both prey and predators.

This dragonfly can catch insects mid-flight by forming a "basket" with its spiky legs, never missing a meal.

Emperor Dragonflies possess incredible agility, allowing them to hover, fly backwards, and make sharp turns to chase prey.

Their babies, called nymphs, are fierce underwater predators that hunt other aquatic creatures with an extendable jaw.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 95-110 mm
Size: 70-84 mm
Lifespan: 30-60 days
Flight Speed: 50 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

A super speedy hunter, it zips through the air catching other insects to eat!

Age differences: Nymphs hunt aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fish; adults hunt flying insects.

Primary Foods

midges
mosquitoes
flies
butterflies
damselflies
other dragonflies

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Yellow Fever Mosquito

Aedes aegypti

Adults hunt mosquitoes in the air.

hunts

Azure Damselfly

Coenagrion puella

Adults will prey on smaller damselflies.

eaten by

European Perch

Perca fluviatilis

Nymphs are sometimes eaten by fish.

eaten by

Common Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Adult dragonflies can be prey for birds.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Ambush Predator

Meet masters of surprise! These clever hunters hide quietly and wait patiently for their prey to come close before pouncing with a quick move.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.