# Seaside Dragonlet (*Erythrodiplax berenice*) The Seaside Dragonlet is a small dragonfly that loves to flutter near water. With its bright colors and tiny size, it is a fun little creature to spot at the beach or by ponds. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Seaside Dragonlet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Seaside_Dragonlet.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike Ostrowski, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seaside_Dragonlet.jpg) ## Appearance The Seaside Dragonlet has a robust body, often dark brown or black, with mature males developing a blue-grey powdery coating called pruinescence. Females are typically yellowish-brown. Its wide-set, dark eyes help it spot prey in its unique coastal habitats. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Erythrodiplax ## Interesting facts - A Dragonlet's eyes have thousands of tiny lenses, giving them a super wide view! - Dragonflies can fly forwards, backwards, and even hover perfectly still! - Their underwater nymphs breathe through gills and are fierce tiny hunters! - They are some of the fastest flying insects, zooming past like a tiny jet! ## Special abilities - **Saltwater Survival:** Seaside Dragonlet can thrive in salty coastal wetlands because its larvae uniquely tolerate brackish water. - **Aerial Acrobatic Hunter:** Seaside Dragonlet has incredible flight agility that helps them catch flying insects mid-air with ease. - **Super Sight:** Seaside Dragonlet has massive compound eyes that help it see predators and prey in almost all directions. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-80 mm - **Size:** 30-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These aerial hunters feast on smaller insects, which they snatch from the air with expert skill. - **Age differences:** As nymphs, they eat aquatic invertebrates; as adults, they catch flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Gnats, Midges, Small flies, Small moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Adult dragonlets prey on adult mosquitoes, helping control their populations. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Birds like kingbirds snatch adult dragonflies from the air. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Bullfrogs will eat adult dragonlets that come near the water's edge. - **Eats:** Mosquitofish (*Gambusia affinis*) — These fish consume dragonlet nymphs and other aquatic insect larvae. ## Traits - [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. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 Always watch where you step near water to keep both you and the dragonflies safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Seaside Dragonlet? 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 Seaside Dragonlet's wingspan? 60-80 mm ### How big is Seaside Dragonlet? 30-40 mm ### How long does Seaside Dragonlet live? 60-365 days ### How fast can Seaside Dragonlet fly? 40 km/h ### What does Seaside Dragonlet eat? These aerial hunters feast on smaller insects, which they snatch from the air with expert skill. ### Where is Seaside Dragonlet usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Seaside Dragonlet hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Academy Grove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/academy-grove-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Bodie Island Lifesaving and Coast Guard Station](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bodie-island-lifesaving-and-coast-guard-station) — North Carolina, US · Historic Site - [Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cockroach-bay-aquatic-preserve) — US · Nature Reserve - [Fort Miles](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-miles) — Delaware, US · Historic Site - [Reedville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/reedville-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Sheepscot Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sheepscot-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District [View all places to see Seaside Dragonlet](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/seaside-dragonlet) ## 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: [Seaside Dragonlet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/seaside-dragonlet)