# Four-spotted Chaser (*Libellula quadrimaculata*) The Four-spotted Chaser is a dragonfly with four dark spots on its wings. They are fast and love to dart around water! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Wetlands and ponds - **Also known as:** Four-spotted Skimmer ![Four-spotted Chaser](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426934/objects/5507.jpg) ## Appearance The Four-spotted Chaser is a medium-sized dragonfly with a yellowish-brown body. Its transparent wings are distinctive, each featuring two prominent dark brown spots, giving it its unique four-spotted name. The leading edge of its wings often shows a striking yellow streak. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Libellula ## Interesting facts - Wow! A baby chaser can live underwater for up to three years! - Wow! Dragonflies were flying before the dinosaurs even existed! - Wow! These dragonflies can migrate across entire continents! - Wow! They catch flying insects mid-air using their spiky legs! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobat:** Four-spotted Chasers can fly forwards, backwards, and hover because of their independently moving wings that allow incredible agility. - **Eagle-Eyed Hunter:** Four-spotted Chasers have huge compound eyes that give them a nearly 360-degree view, helping them spot tiny prey far away. - **Underwater Ninja:** Young Four-spotted Chasers (nymphs) live underwater and have dull, mottled bodies that help them blend in with pond debris. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 65-75 mm - **Size:** 40-48 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 45 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These speedy hunters catch and eat other small insects in the air to fuel their darting flight. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates; adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, midges, flies, smaller butterflies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow fever mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Helps control mosquito populations. - **Eaten by:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — Nymphs can be prey for amphibians. - **Eaten by:** Common Kestrel (*Falco tinnunculus*) — Adults are sometimes hunted by birds. - **Eats:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Fish prey on dragonfly nymphs. ## 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. - [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. ## 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 Four-spotted Chaser? 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 Four-spotted Chaser's wingspan? 65-75 mm ### How big is Four-spotted Chaser? 40-48 mm ### How long does Four-spotted Chaser live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Four-spotted Chaser fly? 45 km/h ### What does Four-spotted Chaser eat? These speedy hunters catch and eat other small insects in the air to fuel their darting flight. ### Where is Four-spotted Chaser usually found? Wetlands and ponds ### How does Four-spotted Chaser hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Grundy Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grundy-lake-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Harraseeket Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harraseeket-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Canoe Landing Prairie State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canoe-landing-prairie-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Denbigh Experimental Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/denbigh-experimental-forest) — North Dakota, US · Botanical Garden - [Maumee State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/maumee-state-forest) — Ohio, US · Forest [View all places to see Four-spotted Chaser](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/four-spotted-chaser) ## 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: [Four-spotted Chaser: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/four-spotted-chaser)