# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Lakes and rivers - **Also known as:** Emperor Skimmer, Green Emperor ![Emperor Dragonfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424619/objects/5508.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Aeshnidae - **Genus:** Anax ## 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 - **360 Vision:** Emperor Dragonflies have huge compound eyes that provide an almost complete panoramic view to easily spot both prey and predators. - **Aerial Hunter:** This dragonfly can catch insects mid-flight by forming a "basket" with its spiky legs, never missing a meal. - **Flight Master:** Emperor Dragonflies possess incredible agility, allowing them to hover, fly backwards, and make sharp turns to chase prey. - **Underwater Prowler (Nymph):** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Adults hunt mosquitoes in the air. - **Hunts:** [Azure Damselfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/azure-damselfly) (*Coenagrion puella*) — Adults will prey on smaller damselflies. - **Eaten by:** [European Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Emperor Dragonfly? 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 Emperor Dragonfly's wingspan? 95-110 mm ### How big is Emperor Dragonfly? 70-84 mm ### How long does Emperor Dragonfly live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Emperor Dragonfly fly? 50 km/h ### What does Emperor Dragonfly eat? A super speedy hunter, it zips through the air catching other insects to eat! ### Where is Emperor Dragonfly usually found? Lakes and rivers ### How does Emperor Dragonfly hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Naturpark Holsteinische Schweiz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-holsteinische-schweiz) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park - [Naturpark Thüringer Schiefergebirge / Obere Saale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-thuringer-schiefergebirge-obere-saale) — Thüringen, DE · Park - [Stadtpark Hamburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stadtpark-hamburg) — Hamburg, DE · Park - [La Bassée National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/la-bassee-national-nature-reserve) — Île-de-France, FR · Park [View all places to see Emperor Dragonfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/emperor-dragonfly) ## 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: [Emperor Dragonfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/emperor-dragonfly)