Stats

Lifespan

Annual

Size

Medium

Diet

Insectivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Freshwater wetland

Range

North America

Movement

Flight

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Speed

Status

Uncommon

About

Western pondhawks are large, robust dragonflies that are commonly found in ponds, lakes, and rivers. They are often mistaken for larger species of dragonflies, such as the dragonfly king, due to their similar size and coloration. One surprising detail about the western pondhawk is that they are capable of producing a loud, buzzing noise by rubbing their wings together.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   egg

   A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3. 3.
   subadult

   A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4. 4.
   adult

   Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Odonata

Family

Libellulidae

Genus

Erythemis

Species

Erythemis collocata