Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
Wings dipped in ink and dusted with chalk.
- GroupDragonfly
- StatusLeast Concern
- Top speed35.0 km/h
- Wingspan7.5 cm
- Body length4.8 cm
- Lifespan0.5 yr
- Posts2
Species files
6 dragonflies and 6 sloths, with the numbers that matter: top speed for the ones that hunt in mid-air, hours asleep for the ones that do not.
Fastest 💚 Common Green Darner — 56.0 km/h
Sleepiest 🌸 Pygmy Three-toed Sloth — 16.0 h a day
Common Green Darner
Anax junius
The migrating jet of North American ponds.
- GroupDragonfly
- StatusLeast Concern
- Top speed56.0 km/h
- Wingspan10.0 cm
- Body length7.6 cm
- Lifespan1.0 yr
- Posts2
Emperor Dragonfly
Anax imperator
Europe's patrolling heavyweight.
- GroupDragonfly
- StatusLeast Concern
- Top speed50.0 km/h
- Wingspan10.6 cm
- Body length7.8 cm
- Lifespan2.0 yr
- Posts3
Golden-ringed Dragonfly
Cordulegaster boltonii
Britain's longest dragonfly, striped like a hornet.
- GroupDragonfly
- StatusLeast Concern
- Top speed40.0 km/h
- Wingspan10.1 cm
- Body length8.4 cm
- Lifespan5.0 yr
- Posts1
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
Small, pale-blue, and always on a favourite perch.
- GroupDragonfly
- StatusLeast Concern
- Top speed30.0 km/h
- Wingspan6.0 cm
- Body length4.2 cm
- Lifespan0.5 yr
- Posts2
Wandering Glider
Pantala flavescens
The most widespread dragonfly on Earth.
- GroupDragonfly
- StatusLeast Concern
- Top speed45.0 km/h
- Wingspan8.4 cm
- Body length4.8 cm
- Lifespan0.5 yr
- Posts1