# Nomad (*Sympetrum fonscolombii*) The Nomad Dragonfly is a colorful insect that loves to fly around water. It has big, beautiful wings and can be seen darting through the air on sunny days. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Nomad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Darter_August_2007-20.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Darter_August_2007-20.jpg) ## Appearance The Nomad has a slender body, with males boasting a striking bright red abdomen and a face with red markings. Its clear wings feature reddish veins and a distinctive orange-yellow patch at the base, making it stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Sympetrum ## Interesting facts - A single Nomad can gobble up hundreds of annoying mosquitoes and flies every day! - Dragonflies have been zipping around Earth since before dinosaurs roamed! - Their enormous eyes cover most of their head, seeing the world in thousands of tiny pictures! - They can fly backwards and even hover perfectly still, like a tiny helicopter! ## Special abilities - **Global Traveler:** Nomad can fly across continents because it has strong, efficient wings, helping them find new breeding grounds. - **Sharp Eyes:** Nomad has huge compound eyes that let it see almost 360 degrees around, helping them spot tiny prey from far away. - **Aerial Acrobat:** Nomad can hover, fly backwards, and make sharp turns mid-air because each wing moves independently, helping it catch fast-moving insects. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-60 mm - **Size:** 30-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 30 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding The Nomad is a fierce aerial hunter, gobbling up other insects it catches mid-flight. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic invertebrates like tadpoles; adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, midges, flies, gnats, small moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Adults prey on this common pest. - **Eaten by:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — Frogs ambush adult dragonflies near water. - **Eaten by:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ducks may eat nymphs or adults near ponds. - **Parasitizes:** Globular Water Mite (*Arrenurus globator*) — Mite larvae attach to nymphs, feeding on them. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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. - [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. - [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 safe to watch, but don't try to catch them! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Nomad? 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 Nomad's wingspan? 50-60 mm ### How big is Nomad? 30-40 mm ### How long does Nomad live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Nomad fly? 30 km/h ### What does Nomad eat? The Nomad is a fierce aerial hunter, gobbling up other insects it catches mid-flight. ### Where is Nomad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Nomad hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Doñana National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/do-ana-national-park) — Andalusia, ES · National Park ## 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: [Nomad: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/nomad)