Anax (dragonfly) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anax (dragonfly) |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Anax parthenope | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Aeshnidae |
| Genus: | Anax Leach, 1815 |
| Type species | |
| Anax imperator Leach, 1815
|
|
_male.jpg)
The Anax dragonflies are a group of very large and impressive insects. Their name comes from an Ancient Greek word, anax, which means "lord," "master," or "king." This name suits them well because they are some of the biggest dragonflies around!
These amazing insects belong to the family called Aeshnidae. You might know one of their most famous members, the emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator).
Anax dragonflies often have light-colored bodies. Their tails are usually dark with lighter patterns. Some Anax species, like the common green darner (Anax junius), even travel long distances. This means they are migratory!
Types of Anax Dragonflies
The genus Anax includes many different kinds of dragonflies. Here are some of the known species:
- Anax amazili – Amazon darner
- Anax bangweuluensis – swamp emperor
- Anax chloromelas – dark emperor
- Anax concolor – blue-spotted comet darner
- Anax congoliath
- Anax ephippiger – vagrant emperor
- Anax fumosus
- Anax georgius – Kimberley emperor
- Anax gladiator – swordbearer emperor
- Anax gibbosulus – green emperor
- Anax guttatus – lesser green emperor
- Anax immaculifrons – magnificent emperor
- Anax imperator – emperor dragonfly, blue emperor
- Anax indicus – elephant emperor
- Anax junius – common green darner
- Anax longipes – comet darner
- Anax maclachlani
- Anax mandrakae
- Anax nigrofasciatus – blue-spotted emperor
- Anax panybeus
- Anax papuensis – Australian emperor
- Anax parthenope – lesser emperor
- Anax piraticus
- Anax pugnax
- Anax selysi
- Anax speratus – orange emperor
- Anax strenuus – giant Hawaiian darner, pinao
- Anax tristis – black emperor, magnificent emperor
- Anax tumorifer
- Anax walsinghami – giant darner
How Anax Dragonflies Got Their Name
The group of Anax dragonflies was first officially described in 1815. This was done by a scientist named William Elford Leach. He published his work in a book called Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopedia.
See also
In Spanish: Anax (insecto) para niños
