List of Canadian dragonflies facts for kids

Dragonflies are amazing insects that zoom through the air! This article is a list of the different types of dragonflies (Odonata) you can find in Canada. They are often seen near water, like lakes, ponds, and rivers, because that's where they lay their eggs and where their young live.

What are Dragonflies?

Dragonflies are part of a group of insects called Odonata. They are known for their big, clear wings and huge eyes that help them see all around. These insects are super fast and great at catching other flying insects, like mosquitoes, right out of the air!

Dragonflies start their lives in water as nymphs. These nymphs live underwater for months, or even years, eating small water creatures. When they are ready, they crawl out of the water, shed their skin one last time, and become the beautiful flying adults we see.

Dragonfly Families in Canada

Scientists group living things into families based on how they are related. In Canada, you can find several different families of dragonflies, each with its own special features. Let's explore some of them!

Family Aeshnidae, Darners

Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita)

Darners are usually large, fast-flying dragonflies. They get their name because their long bodies look a bit like a darning needle. They often fly high and fast, making them tricky to spot up close!

Canada Darner (Aeshna canadensis)

Green Darner (Anax junius)

Genus Aeshna

• Aeshna califonica, California Darner
• Aeshna canadensis, Canada Darner
• Aeshna clepsydra, Mottled Darner
• Aeshna constricta, Lance-tipped Darner
• Aeshna eremita, Lake Darner
• Aeshna interrupta, Variable Darner
• Aeshna juncea, Sedge Darner
• Aeshna mixta, Migrant Hawker
• Aeshna mutata, Spatterdock Darner
• Aeshna palmata, Paddle-tailed Darner
• Aeshna septentrionalis, Azure Darner
• Aeshna sitchensis, Zigzag Darner
• Aeshna subarctica, Subarctic Darner
• Aeshna tuberculifera, Black-tipped Darner
• Aeshna umbrosa, Shadow Darner
• Aeshna verticalis, Green-striped Darner

Genus Anax

• Anax imperator, Emperor
• Anax junius, Common Green Darner
• Anax longipes, Comet Darner

Genus Boyeria

• Boyeria grafiana, Ocellated Darner
• Boyeria vinosa, Fawn Darner

Genus Nasiaechna

• Nasiaechna pentacantha, Cyrano Darner

Genus Gomphaeschna

• Gomphaeschna furcillata, Harlequin Darner

Genus Epiaeschna

• Epiaeschna heros, Swamp Darner

Genus Rhionaeschna

• Rhionaeschna multicolor, Blue-eyed Darner

Genus Basiaeschna

• Basiaeschna janata, Springtime Darner

Family Gomphidae, Clubtails

Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus)

Clubtails are named for their unique tail shape, which often looks like a club. They usually rest on the ground or on plants, unlike many other dragonflies that perch on twigs.

Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis)

Genus Hagenius

• Hagenius brevistylus, Dragonhunter

Genus Gomphus

• Gomphus adelphus, Mustached Clubtail
• Gomphus borealis, Beaverpond Clubtail
• Gomphus descriptus, Harpoon Clubtail
• Gomphus exilis, Lancet Clubtail
• Gomphus externus, Plains Clubtail
• Gomphus fraternus, Midland Clubtail
• Gomphus graslinellus, Pronghorn Clubtail
• Gomphus lineatifrons, Splendid Clubtail
• Gomphus lividus, Ashy Clubtail
• Gomphus quadricolor, Rapids Clubtail
• Gomphus spicatus, Dusky Clubtail
• Gomphus vastus, Cobra Clubtail
• Gomphus ventricosus, Skillet Clubtail
• Gomphus viridifrons, Green-faced Clubtail

Genus Stylurus

• Stylurus amnicola, Riverine Clubtail
• Stylurus intricatus, Brimstone Clubtail
• Stylurus notatus, Elusive Clubtail
• Stylurus olivaceus, Olive Clubtail
• Stylurus scudderi, Zebra Clubtail
• Stylurus spiniceps, Arrow Clubtail

Genus Dromogomphus

• Dromogomphus spinosus, Black-shouldered Clubtail
• Dromogomphus spoliatus, Flag-tailed Clubtail

Genus Arigomphus

Horned Clubtail (Arigomphus cornutus)

• Arigomphus cornutus, Horned Clubtail
• Arigomphus furcifer, Lilypad Clubtail
• Arigomphus villosipes, Unicorn Clubtail

Genus Progomphus

• Progomphus obscurus, Common Sanddragon

Genus Ophiogomphus

• Ophiogomphus anomalus, Extra-striped Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus aspersus, Brook Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus carolus, Riffle Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus colubrinus, Boreal Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus howei, Pygmy Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus mainensis, Maine Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus occidentis, Sinuous Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus severus, Pale Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus smithi, Sioux Snaketail
• Ophiogomphus rupinslensis, Rusty Snaketail

Genus Stylogomphus

• Stylogomphus albistylus, Least Clubtail

Genus Lanthus

• Lanthus parvulus, Northern Pygmy Clubtail

Genus Octogomphus

• Octogomphus specularis, Grappletail

Family Cordulegastridae, Spiketails

Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis)

Spiketails are often found near clear, fast-flowing streams. They have striking yellow and black patterns on their bodies.

Genus Cordulegaster

• Cordulegaster diastatops, Delta-spotted Spiketail
• Cordulegaster dorsalis, Pacific Spiketail
• Cordulegaster maculata, Twin-spotted Spiketail
• Cordulegaster obliqua, Arrowhead Spiketail

Family Corduliidae, Emeralds

Emeralds are known for their bright green eyes, which often sparkle like jewels. Many of them have dark, metallic bodies.

Genus Cordulia

• Cordulia shurtleffii, American Emerald

Genus Dorocordulia

Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera)

• Dorocordulia libera, Racket-tailed Emerald
• Dorocordulia lepida, Petite Emerald

Genus Helocordulia

• Helocordulia uhleri, Uhler's Sundragon

Genus Williamsonia

• Williamsonia fletcheri, Ebony Boghaunter

Genus Epitheca

• Epitheca princeps, Prince Baskettail
• Epitheca cynosura, Common Baskettail

Genus Somatochlora

• Somatochlora albicincta, Ringed Emerald
• Somatochlora brevicincta, Quebec Emerald
• Somatochlora cingulata, Lake Emerald
• Somatochlora elongata, Ski-tailed Emerald
• Somatochlora ensigera, Plains Emerald
• Somatochlora forcipata, Forcipate Emerald
• Somatochlora franklini, Delicate Emerald
• Somatochlora hineana, Hine's Emerald
• Somatochlora hudsonica, Hudsonian Emerald
• Somatochlora incurvata, Incurvate Emerald
• Somatochlora kennedyi, Kennedy's Emerald
• Somatochlora minor, Ocellated Emerald
• Somatochlora sahlbergi, Treeline Emerald
• Somatochlora semicircularis, Mountain Emerald
• Somatochlora septentrionalis, Muskeg Emerald
• Somatochlora tenebrosa, Clamp-tipped Emerald
• Somatochlora walshii, Brush-tipped Emerald
• Somatochlora williamsoni, Williamson's Emerald
• Somatochlora whitehousei, Whitehouse's Emerald

Genus Neurocordulia

• Neurocordulia yamaskanensis, Stygian Shadowdragon

Family Libellulidae, Skimmers, Chasers

Common Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)

This is the largest family of dragonflies! Skimmers and Chasers are often seen perching on twigs or rocks near water. They come in many different colors and patterns.

White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)

Genus Libellula

• Libellula depressa, Broad-bodied Chaser
• Libellula forensis, Eight-spotted Skimmer
• Libellula fulva, Scarce Chaser
• Libellula incesta, Slaty Skimmer
• Libellula julia, Chalk-fronted Corporal
• Libellula luctuosa, Widow Skimmer
• Libellula lydia, Common Whitetail
• Libellula pulchella, Twelve-spotted Skimmer
• Libellula quadrimaculata, Four-spotted Chaser

Genus Sympetrum

• Sympetrum corruptum, Variegated Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum costiferum, Saffron-winged Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum danae, Black Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum illotum, Cardinal Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum internum, Cherry-faced Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum flaveolum, Yellow-winged Darter
• Sympetrum fonscolombii, Red-veined Darter
• Sympetrum obtrusum, White-faced Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum pallipes, Striped Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum madidum, Red-veined Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum rubicundulum, Ruby Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum semicinctum, Band-winged Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum striolatum, Common Darter
• Sympetrum vicinum, Autumn Meadowhawk or Yellow-legged Meadowhawk
• Sympetrum vulgatum, Vagrant Darter

Genus Nannothemis

• Nannothemis bella, Elfin Skimmer

Genus Pachydiplax

• Pachydiplax longipennis, Blue Dasher

Genus Erythemis

• Erythemis collocata, Western Pondhawk
• Erythemis simplicicollis, Common Pondhawk or Eastern Pondhawk

Genus Pantala

• Pantala flavescens, Wandering Glider
• Pantala hymenaea, Spot-winged Glider

Genus Leucorrhinia

Belted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia proxima)

• Leucorrhinia borelis, Boreal Whiteface
• Leucorrhinia frigida, Frosted Whiteface
• Leucorrhinia glacialis, Crimson-ringed Whiteface
• Leucorrhinia hudsonica, Hudsonian Whiteface
• Leucorrhinia intacta, Dot-tailed Whiteface
• Leucorrhinia patricia, Canada Whiteface
• Leucorrhinia proxima, Belted Whiteface

Genus Celithemis

• Celithemis elisa, Calico Pennant
• Celithemis eponina, Halloween Pennant

Genus Perithemis

• Perithemis tenera, Eastern Amberwing

Genus Tramea

Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta)

• Tramea carolina, Carolina Saddlebags
• Tramea lacerata, Black Saddlebags
• Tramea onusta, Red Saddlebags

Family Macromiidae, Cruisers

Illinois River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis)

Cruisers are large, powerful dragonflies that often fly along rivers and streams. They have long, slender bodies and often metallic green eyes.

Genus Didymops

• Didymops transversa, Stream Cruiser

Genus Macromia

• Macromia illinoiensis, Illinois River Cruiser or Swift River Cruiser
• Macromia magnifica, Western River Cruiser

Family Petaluridae, Petaltails

Petaltails are considered very ancient types of dragonflies. They are quite rare and often found in bogs or swampy areas.

Genus Tanypteryx

• Tanypteryx hageni, Black Petaltail