Pin-Tailed Pondhawk
ExploreInsects
Pin-Tailed Pondhawk
erythemis plebeja
The Pin-Tailed Pondhawk is a vibrant dragonfly known for its beautiful blue and green colors. It loves to flutter around ponds and lakes, making it a fun sight for kids to watch!
Habitat: Freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes
Appearance
The Pin-Tailed Pondhawk is a small, dark dragonfly, often appearing black with a pruinose blue thorax in mature males. Its slender, tapering abdomen gives it a distinctive 'pin-tail' appearance, and females typically display yellow spots along their dark body.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusErythemis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Dragonflies have been flying for over 300 million years, even before the dinosaurs!
Pin-Tailed Pondhawk nymphs can live underwater for years before becoming flying adults!
Pin-Tailed Pondhawks eat mosquitoes, helping to keep those pesky biters in check!
They catch prey with their legs in a 'basket' while flying!
Special abilities
Ability
Aerial Acrobatics
Pin-Tailed Pondhawk can fly in any direction, even backwards, because of its two pairs of independently moving wings.
Ability
Underwater Breathing
Pin-Tailed Pondhawk nymphs breathe underwater using gills, allowing them to live and hunt submerged.
Ability
Extendable Jaw
Pin-Tailed Pondhawk larvae have an extendable jaw, a labium, that helps them snatch unsuspecting prey.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 50-75 mm
- Size
- 35-45 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-60 days
- Flight Speed
- 25 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
They are aerial predators, catching small flying insects.
Age differences: Nymphs hunt aquatic insects and tadpoles; adults hunt flying insects.
Primary Foods
- Mosquitoes
- Gnats
- Flies
- Small Moths
- Midges
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
hunts
Yellow Fever Mosquito
Aedes aegypti
Adults prey on them in flight.
eaten by
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Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Birds snatch them from the air or perches.
eaten by
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
Fish prey on pondhawk nymphs underwater.
hunts
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
Nymphs ambush tadpoles in the water.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Blue PondhawkCommon PondhawkErythemis DragonflyGreen Pondhawk
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pin-Tailed Pondhawk's wingspan?
50-75 mm
How big is Pin-Tailed Pondhawk?
35-45 mm
How long does Pin-Tailed Pondhawk live?
30-60 days
How fast can Pin-Tailed Pondhawk fly?
25 km/h
What does Pin-Tailed Pondhawk eat?
They are aerial predators, catching small flying insects.
Where is Pin-Tailed Pondhawk usually found?
Freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes
How does Pin-Tailed Pondhawk hunt?
Pursuit
How many legs does Pin-Tailed Pondhawk have?
6
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