Best Aeshnidae

The Giant Darner (*Anax walsinghami*) is a large dragonfly species belonging to the family Aeshnidae, native to the western United States and parts of Mexico. Recognized as the largest dragonfly in North America, it typically reaches lengths of up to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) with correspondingly...

The Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) is a large, powerful insect belonging to the darner family, Aeshnidae. It is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, typically breeding in large ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. The species is highly recognizable due to its vivid color...

Anax imperator, commonly known as the emperor dragonfly, is a large species of hawker dragonfly belonging to the family Aeshnidae. Described by zoologist William Elford Leach in 1815, it is one of the largest dragonfly species found in Europe, with a range that extends across the continent into Afri...

The Comet Darner (Anax longipes) is a large species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae native to eastern North America. It is distinguished by the bright red coloration of the male's long, slender abdomen, which gives the insect its common name. Females, conversely, typically display green or brow...

Epiaeschna heros, commonly known as the swamp darner, is a large dragonfly native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. First described by Fabricius in 1798, it ranks among the largest dragonfly species in North America, typically reaching a body length of approximately 90 millimeter...

The Southern Hawker is a large species of dragonfly belonging to the family Aeshnidae, commonly found across Europe. Adults are easily identified by their dark bodies marked with vibrant pairs of green, blue, and yellow spots along the abdomen. They are known for their conspicuous, inquisitive behav...

The Australian Emperor (*Anax papuensis*) is a large species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae distributed across Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Oceania. Adults are recognized by their bright green thorax, brownish markings, and powerful flight capabilities. They are highly aggressive hunte...

The Giant Darner, *Anax walsinghami*, is a large dragonfly species native to southwestern United States ponds and wetlands. It’s notable for being North America's largest dragonfly, with wingspans reaching up to five inches. These dragonflies are particularly interesting to insect enthusiasts and th...

The Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor) is a species of dragonfly native to western North America and parts of Central America. It belongs to the Aeshnidae family, which encompasses the larger darner dragonflies known for their fast and agile flight. The insect is easily identifiable by its b...

Anax imperator, commonly known as the Emperor Dragonfly, is a large dragonfly species native to Europe. It’s notable for being one of the continent’s largest dragonflies, characterized by its striking blue coloration on the males and prominent size. This darner belongs to the Aeshnidae family and is...

The Azure Hawker is a medium-sized dragonfly species notable for its predominantly dark brown body marked with pairs of blue spots along the abdomen. It is predominantly found in the Scottish Highlands, representing one of the United Kingdom's rarest and most localized odonate species. The insect re...

The Norfolk Hawker (Anaciaeschna isosceles, also placed in Aeshna) is a dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae that is rare in the United Kingdom and largely restricted to the grazing marshes of the Norfolk Broads in eastern England. Adults are distinguished by green eyes, a brown body, and a conspicuous...

The Brown Hawker, scientifically known as Aeshna grandis, is a large dragonfly belonging to the family Aeshnidae. It is widely distributed across Europe and parts of Asia, typically inhabiting areas near standing or slow-flowing freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, and canals. The insect is easily i...

Aeshna cyanea, commonly known as the southern hawker or blue hawker, is a large species of dragonfly native to Europe. Adults are easily recognized by their dark bodies decorated with bright green or blue spots, and they are known for their inquisitive behavior, frequently flying close to humans. Un...

The Comet Darner, *Anax longipes*, is a sizable dragonfly species found primarily in eastern United States. It’s notable for the vibrant red coloration of male adults and their preference for undisturbed woodland ponds. These dragonflies are important indicators of aquatic ecosystem health and are f...

The Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) is a medium-sized dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae, distributed across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Adults are identifiable by their brown thorax, blue-spotted abdomen, and a characteristic T-shaped yellow marking on the upper abdomen. The species is no...

Anax tristis is the black emperor, an African dragonfly described by Hagen in 1867 and notable as one of the continent's largest emperor species.

The Amazon Darner (Coryphaeschna amazonica) is a large dragonfly species belonging to the darner family, Aeshnidae. It is widely distributed throughout the tropical regions of Central and South America, predominantly inhabiting the Amazon basin and surrounding lowland rainforests. Like other darners...

Anax longipes, commonly known as the comet darner, is a large dragonfly species in the family Aeshnidae, first described by Hermann August Hagen in 1861. The species is distinguished by the male's bright red abdomen with black markings and its relatively long hind legs (reflected in the Latin name '...

The Mottled Darner (Aeshna clepsydra) is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae native to eastern North America, primarily found near bogs and forested ponds. The insect is recognized by its heavily mottled brown and blue coloration, particularly the distinct markings on its thorax. Flying p...

Anax parthenope, the lesser emperor, is a large dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae found across southern Europe, Africa, and Asia. The species was described by the Belgian entomologist Edmond de Selys-Longchamps in 1839. It is generally smaller and less vividly colored than the related common emperor...

The Lesser Emperor (scientific name Anax parthenope) is a large species of dragonfly belonging to the family Aeshnidae. It is widely distributed across Southern Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, with its range expanding northward in recent years. The insect can be identified by its brown thorax and...

The Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) is a medium-sized hawker native to Europe and one of the earliest dragonflies to take flight each year, typically appearing in spring. It is named for the dense, fine hairs covering its thorax, which help distinguish it from other aeshnid species. It breeds...

Boyeria irene, known as the western spectre, is a dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae distributed across southwestern Europe, including France, the Iberian Peninsula, and Italy. The species is notably crepuscular, being most active during twilight—a relatively unusual trait among dragonflies. It inhab...

'Aeshna crenata', commonly referred to as the Siberian hawker, is a large species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. Initially described by Hermann August Hagen in 1856, the insect inhabits the boreal and temperate regions of northeastern Europe and northern Asia, extending toward Siberia and Jap...

The Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacanthata) is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae, native to eastern North America. It is the only member of its genus and is uniquely identified by a long, distinctly protruding forehead that resembles the prominent nose of the fictional character Cyran...

The Common Hawker is a large, widespread dragonfly species found across Eurasia, easily identified by its distinctive yellow costa or leading wing edge.

The Australian Emperor (Hemianax papuensis) is a substantial dragonfly species native to Australia. It belongs to the Aeshnidae family, commonly known as darner dragonflies. This insect is notable for its robust flight pattern and impressive size. The Australian Emperor is frequently observed patrol...

Aeshna viridis is the green hawker, described by Eversmann in 1836 and notable in Europe for breeding chiefly where water-soldier plants form dense stands.