Best Eastern USA

The Gray Petaltail, *Tachopteryx thoreyi*, is a rare dragonfly found in southeastern U.S. bogs and wetlands. It’s notable as one of the oldest dragonfly lineages still existing in North America. This species exhibits distinctive gray coloration on its thorax and abdomen. Primarily a focus for entomo...

The Giant Petaltail, *Tachopteryx thoreyi*, is a remarkably large dragonfly belonging to the Petaluridae family. It’s notable for representing one of the oldest lineages of dragonflies still existing in North America. Found primarily within seeps and wetlands of eastern United States, this species o...

Somatochlora hineana, commonly known as Hine’s Emerald, is a distinctive green dragonfly species found exclusively within eastern United States. Notably, it relies critically on specific, rare limestone groundwater habitats, making it exceptionally vulnerable to environmental changes. This dragonfly...

The Carolina Saddlebag ( *Tramea carolina* ) is a large dragonfly belonging to the Libellulidae family. Native to eastern United States, it’s recognized by its distinctive red and black abdomen markings. This migratory species is commonly observed by insect enthusiasts, researchers studying dragonfl...

The Tiger Spiketail, *Cordulegaster tigrinus*, is a distinctive dragonfly inhabiting streams of eastern North America. It’s recognized by its dark body marked with prominent yellow rings and black stripes. This species belongs to the Cordulegastridae family. Primarily observed in wetland habitats, i...

The Royal River Cruiser (Macromia taeniolata) is a large dragonfly found in the eastern United States, noted for its yellow-striped abdomen and swift, continuous flight along forested waterways.

The Arrowhead Spiketail is a striking dragonfly species found in the eastern United States, uniquely identified by its yellow, arrow-shaped markings.

The Painted Skimmer (*Libellula semifasciata*) is an eastern North American dragonfly notable for its intricate wing patterns, which feature striking amber and dark brown patches.

The Zebra Clubtail is a striking dragonfly species of northern North America, distinguished by the bold, contrasting yellow and black abdominal stripes.

Described by Walsh in 1862, the Cobra Clubtail (Phanogomphus vastus) is a large dragonfly of eastern North America, notable for the distinctive cobra-head-like pattern on its thorax.

The Great Blue Skimmer (*Libellula vibrans*) is a large dragonfly found in the eastern United States, recognized as the largest skimmer species in its range by overall body length.

The Golden-winged Skimmer (*Libellula auripennis*) is a southeastern United States dragonfly distinguished by the characteristic golden-yellow tint present along its wing veins.

The Elfin Skimmer (*Nannothemis bella*) is a dragonfly described by Hermann August Hagen in 1861, holding the distinction of being the smallest dragonfly species native to North America.

Described by William Forsell Kirby in 1889, the Banded Pennant (*Celithemis fasciata*) is a North American skimmer dragonfly recognized by the distinct dark bands across its wings.

The Flag-tailed Spinyleg is a dragonfly species found in the central and eastern United States, notable for the distinctively flared tip of its abdomen.

The Mocha Emerald is the largest dragonfly of the Somatochlora genus in eastern North America, noted for its elongated abdomen and rich brown coloration with pale lateral stripes.

The Twin-spotted Spiketail is a dragonfly species located across eastern North America, recognized by the prominent paired spots on its thorax.

The Smoky Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia molesta) is a North American dragonfly noted for its crepuscular behavior, remaining hidden during the day and emerging at dusk to hunt.

Described by Selys in 1854, the Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes) is a North American dragonfly known for the distinctive dorsal bump on the male's tenth abdominal segment.

The Black-shouldered Spinyleg is a dragonfly species of eastern North America, recognized by its dark shoulder stripes and heavily spined hind legs.

The Brown Spiketail is a dragonfly species native to North America, notable for breeding specifically in small, rocky woodland streams.

The Spangled Skimmer (*Libellula cyanea*) is an eastern North American species uniquely identified by having both black and white stigmas on the leading edge of its wings.

The Eastern Ringtail is a clubtail dragonfly species indigenous to the eastern United States, distinguished by its striking yellow and black rings.

The Delta-spotted Spiketail is a dragonfly species of western North America, distinguished by the distinct triangular yellow marks on its abdomen.

The Green-striped Darner (Aeshna verticalis) is a dragonfly native to Canada and the northern United States, distinguished by the bright green lateral stripes adorning its dark brown thorax.

The Cinnamon Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia virginiensis) is an eastern North American dragonfly distinguished by its crepuscular habits, emerging primarily at dusk to hunt over flowing rivers.

The Slaty Skimmer (*Libellula incesta*) is a large dragonfly native to eastern North America, distinguished by the mature male's deep, slate-blue or nearly black pruinose coloring.

The Mottled Darner (Aeshna clepsydra) is an eastern North American dragonfly notable for the distinct, mottled brown and gray coloration on its thorax, providing camouflage against tree bark.

Say's Spiketail is a rare dragonfly species endemic to the eastern United States, noted for its specialized habitat in sandy forested streams.