Hobbies And Interests
Hawkers
Hawker dragonflies are in the Aeshnidae family and some species include the Common Hawker or Aeshnidae juncea, the Brown Hawker or Aeshnidae grandis and the Green Darner or Aeshnidae junius. The Common Hawker is native to western England, Wales and Scotland. Hawker dragonflies are the largest dragonflies and are the fastest fliers. Green Darners are one of the most common North American hawkers and have blue or green bodies.
Chasers
Chasers are part of the Libellulidae family of dragonflies. Chasers have thicker and flatter bodies and the Broad-Bodied Chaser or Libellula depressa is a common European dragonfly. The male is a dusty blue with yellow oval-shaped panels on its lower portion. Females are green-brown with broader abdomens than their male counterparts. Larva of all dragonflies are squat-looking without wings and serrated teeth.
Skimmers
Skimmers are in the Libellulidae family of dragonflies, such as chasers and darters. Skimmers are among the most colorful dragonflies and most common. They have two pairs of large, patterned wings with the hind wings slightly larger. They can grow up to three inches with wing span of four inches. The Common Skimmer or Libellula luctosa Burmeister is found all over the United States with blue bodies and black-banded wings.
Darters
Darters are in the Libellulidae family of dragonflies, such as chasers and and skimmers. Common Darter or Sympetrum striolatum, Yellow-winged Darter or Sympetrum flaveolum and the White-faced Darter or Leucorrhinia dubia are common species. The Common Darter is one of the most common European dragonflies and the males are orange-red in color. The females are pale yellow-brown with red spots. They live near ponds or brackish water and woodland areas.
Emeralds
Emeralds are part of the Corduliidae family and most have large emerald eyes. The Northern Emerald or Somatochlora arctica, the Brilliant Emerald or Somatochlora metallica and the Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea are species of emerald dragonflies. The Brilliant Emerald has an emerald body and eyes with an overall bronze sheen appearance. The male has a slightly club-shaped abdomen while the female has a long and pointy vulvar scale, which is the female sex organ found on the abdomen. This species is rare and considered endangered in the United Kingdom.