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Dragonflies were one of the earliest insects to arise. They have the most primitive flight structure of all the flying insects. While their wing and muscle structure is primitive it is quite effective. This insects are extremely agile fliers. They are predatory both as larva and as adults. Larva feed on other insects, small fish, and amphibian larvae. Adults feed on-the-fly catching other insects, including other dragonflies, then eat their catch while cruising. Dragonflies are quickly identified from damselflies based on their holding the wings straight out from the body when at rest. Click here to see some Dragonfly pictures taken at BNL

Damselflies split off of the evolutionary line of dragonflies. These insects get their names based on their dainty appearance. They are very slender compared to their dragonfly cousins, they fold their wings over their bodies when at rest, and they are not strong fliers. Like dragonflies they are predatory, eating small aquatic insects as larvae, and small flying insects as adults.

Dragonflies Scientific Name
Aeshnidae  
Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa
Common Green Darner Anax junius
Comet Darner Anax longipes
Swamp Darner Epiaeschna heros
Harlequin Darner Gophaeschna furcillata
Gomphidae
Unicorn Clubtail Arigomphus villosipes
Ashy Clubtail Gomphus lividus
Corduliidae
Common Baskettail Epitheca cynosura
Williamsons's Emerald Somatochlora williamsoni
Libellulidae
Bar Winged Skimmer Libellula axilena
Calico Pennant Celithemis elisa
Halloween Pennant Celithemis eponina
Martha's Pennant Celithemis martha
Easthern Pondhawk Erythemis simplicicollis
Dot-tailed Whiteface Leuchorrhinia intacta
Spangled Skimmer Libellula cyanea
Blue Corporal Libellula deplanata
Seaside Dragonlet Erythrodiplax berenice
Slaty Skimmer
Libellula incesta
Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa
Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella
Painted Skimmer Libellula semifasciata
Band-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum semicunctum
Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis
Carolina Saddlebags Tramea carolina
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum
Common Whitetail Plathemis lydia
Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera
Great Blue Skimmer Libellula vibrans
Black Setwing Dythemis nigrescens
Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea
Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens
White-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum obtrusum
Double-ringed Pennant Celithemis verna
Ruby Meadowhawk Sympetrum rubicundulum
Frosted Whiteface Leucorrhinia frigida
Elfin Skimmer Nannothemis bella
 
Damselflies
Calopterygidae
Ebony Jewelwing Calopteryx maculata
Lestidae
Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener
Northern Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus disjunctus
Southern Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus australis
Amber-winged Spreadwing Lestes eurinus
Sweetflag Spreadwing Lestes forcipatus
Elegant Spreadwing Lestes inaequalis
Slender Spreadwing Lestes rectangularis
Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus
Swamp Spreadwing Lestes vigilax
Coenagrionidae
Marsh Bluet Enallagma ebrium
Variable Dancer Argia fumipennis
Azure Bluet Enallagma aspersum
 Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile
 Northern Bluet Enallagma cyathigerum
 Atlantic Bluet Enallagma doubledayi
 Big Bluet Enallagma durum
 Skimming Bluet Enallagma geminatum
Pine Barrens Bluet Enallagma recurvatum
 Orange Bluet Enallagma signatum
Citrine Forktail Ischnura hastata
Fragile Forktail Ischnura posita
Rambur's Forktail Ischnura ramburii
Eastern Forktail Ischnura verticalis
Sphagnum Sprite Nehalennia gracilis