In Maryland, there are 7 main families of dragonflies:
Petaltails (Petaluridae)
Darners (Aeshnidae)
Clubtails (Gomphidae)
Spiketails (Cordulegastridae)
River cruisers (Macromiidae)
Emeralds (Corduliidae)
Pond Skimmers (Libellulidae)
This page will focus on several common species.
Petaltails
Family: Petaluridae
Petaltails are the most ancient of the dragonflies around today. Only 11
species exist worldwide, two of which can be found in the United States. The
gray petaltail is the only petaltail found in Maryland. It is uncommon, and
its larvae are semi-aquatic, making the gray petaltail unique among other
dragonflies (whose larvae are fully aquatic). To learn more about the gray
petaltail,
check out its page here.
Darners
Family: Aeshnidae
The Darner family contains some of the largest dragonflies found in North
America and some of the larger dragonflies in the world. The name ‘darner’
comes from the fact that the female abdomen looks similar to a sewing
needle. These large dragonflies spend most of their time in the air.
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
The male common green darner has a bright green thorax which contrasts
with its blue abdomen. Females are less colorful, with rusty brown to purple
markings. These darners can get up to 3.3. inches in length and can be found
in almost any aquatic habitat in Maryland. Interestingly, common green
darners are migratory and travel north in early spring until the fall when
they return south. When conditions are favorable, common green darners can
travel up to 60 miles in a day!

Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros)
Swamp darners are large dragonflies that can get up to 3.5 inches in
length. Their size, blue eyes and green striped thorax make them easy to
identify. Swamp darners have brown abdomens patterned with green rings.
Swamp darners typically prefer wooded swamps and wet areas with shade.

Clubtails
Family: Gomphidae
Clubtails are named after the club-like widening of the end of the
abdomen. This feature can be found in most species of clubtails, though not
all. For dragonflies, clubtails have widely separated eyes.
Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus)
Dragonhunters are large dragonflies that have bright green eyes, a yellow
face and a small head compared to its thorax. Often, male dragonhunters will
fly with their abdomen curved in a J-shape. True to their name, they
frequently prey on other dragonfly species as well as butterflies. These
dragonflies can get up to 3.5 inches in length and can be found in woodlands
along streams and rivers.

Ashy Clubtail (Gomphus lividus)
Ashy clubtails are small dragonflies that have drab brown and green
markings with yellow stripes. They can be found along the edges of slow
moving streams. Often, ashy clubtails will perch above the water and will
fly off in a roller-coaster like flight if disturbed. Ashy clubtails can
range from 1.9-2.2 inches.

Spiketails
Family: Cordulegastridae
Spiketails are mostly found along streams in Maryland. Spiketails have a
large brown or black body with yellow markings. Maryland has 5 species of
spiketails, most of which are rare or uncommon in the state. Some
taxonomists lump spiketails under the skimmer family, Libellulidae.
River cruisers
Family: Macromiidae
River cruisers are medium-sized dragonflies that tend to fly down the
center of streams and rivers. Interestingly enough, females of this family
lack an ovipositor, which is a structure used to deposit eggs. River
cruisers lay their eggs directly in the water, eliminating the need for an
ovipositor. Some taxonomists lump river cruisers under the skimmer family,
Libellulidae.
Emeralds
Family: Corduliidae
As their name suggests, most emerald dragonflies have large, green eyes.
Members of this family include baskettails, emeralds, sundragons,
shadowdragons and boghaunters. Emeralds are usually black or dark brown in
color with splotches of metallic green or yellow.
Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura)
Common baskettails are hairy dragonflies that have yellow stripes on the
sides of their abdomen. These common dragonflies tend to be 1.5-1.7 inches
in length and can be found on the edges of ponds, lakes and streams.

Skimmers
Family: Libellulidae
The skimmer family is the largest dragonfly family in the world.
Dragonflies in the skimmer family are highly variable in size and color
patterns. Common skimmers tend to be fast flyers that can easily zip up and
down stretches of streams.
Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
Autumn meadowhawks, true to their name, are some of the latest flying
dragonflies in Maryland. Males usually have bright red to orange abdomens
while females have a brownish-red abdomen with a brown thorax. These small
dragons can get up to 1.4 inches in length and can be found along ponds and
slow moving streams.

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Male blue dashers have a small powdery-blue abdomen, blue-green eyes and
a striped thorax. Females are similar looking, with just a bit more brown.
These little dragonflies can be found in and around most aquatic habitats.
Males tend to be very territorial. These little dragons can range from 1-1.8
inches in length.

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
Black saddlebags have very distinct wings with large black blotches
present at the base of their hindwing. Black saddlebags tend to have ashy
blue-gray colorings on their abdomen as well as black eyes. These
dragonflies can be found around ponds, lakes and marshes. They can reach a
length of 1.8-2.2 inches.

Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia)
Male common whitetails are easily recognized by their bright white
abdomen that contrasts with black banded wings. Females are brownish with
striped black wings. These common dragonflies can be found along ponds,
lakes and slow moving streams. They can reach ranging from 1.5-1.9
inches.

Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)
Eastern amberwings are small dragonflies that have a rich amber-orange
color. Males have amber colored wings while females have clear wings with
brown patches. These small odonates reside along ponds, lakes, marshes and
streams. Often, you can see them flying low over the water surface or
perching on aquatic plants. These tiny dragons can reach up to 1 inch in
length.

Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)
Eastern pondhawk females and immature males are bright green. As the
males age, they gradually turn a powdery blue from their abdomen to their
thorax. These dragonflies can get up to 2 inches in length and can be found
along ponds, lakes and streams.

Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta)
Slaty skimmer males are colored a rich bluish-black. The tips of their
wings have black marks while their abdomens are long and thin. Females and
immature males are less colorful and have beige and black thoraxes. These
dragonflies range from about 1.8-2.2 inches in length. They can be found in
marshes, ponds and slow moving streams. Often, you can see slaty skimmers
making short patrols before returning to a favored perch above the water.

For Additional Information, Contact:
Acknowledgements:
- Common green darner, common whitetail, eastern pondhawk and
slaty skimmer by: Kerry Wixted
- All other photos courtesy of Richard Orr