Black dragonflies have fascinated zoologists with their mating style, appearance, etc. for a long time. These insects are known for their striking appearance, which makes them stand out from the rest.
In today’s article, we are going to talk about these black dragonflies. So let’s start with the list of 12 black dragonfly species in the world.
What is the spiritual meaning of black dragonflies?
I’ve always had a fascination with dragonflies and what they symbolize. Not only do they represent beauty, but they also represent many aspects of life.
Through my research, I discovered that black dragonflies symbolize transformation, renewal, connection, self-discovery, strength and mystery. It symbolizes transformation due to its incredible life cycle and represents the transition from one stage of life to another.
They also make us explore our subconscious mind and our hidden emotions. Additionally, they also encourage us to delve into our thoughts and explore our hidden emotions.
Across traditions, the color black signifies strength, power and an air of mystery. Black dragonflies are also seen as a sign of divine powers and messengers of the spiritual realm, and they are often taken as a sign of positivity.
12 Black Dragonfly Species In The World
1. Black Pondhawk
| Scientific name | Erythemis attala |
| Size | No Information |
| Location | Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America |
| Identification | Almost black with one yellow tip on the abdomen |
Black Pondhawk got their name from their habitat and predatory behavior. This black dragonfly exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males are almost black with one yellow mark on their abdomen, whereas females are mostly yellow or brown with a little bit of black marking.
This species is found in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America, inhabiting the tropics.
2. Clamp-tipped Emerald
| Scientific name | Somatochlora tenebrosa |
| Size | 48-54 mm |
| Location | North America |
| Identification | Black body with metallic green eyes |
The second dragonfly we have on the list of black dragonflies is Clamp-tipped Emerald. These dragonflies are black and measure from 48 to 54 mm.
This species has metallic green eyes and a greenish sheen all over the body, making them distinct. You can find this dragonfly from the United States to Canada, covering all of North America, flying from June to September.
3. Black saddlebags
| Scientific name | Tramea lacerata |
| Size | 1.5 to 2.5 inches |
| Location | North America |
| Identification | Have black wings with large black blotch present at their proximal end |
As the name indicates, black saddlebags have black wings with large bands at their proximal ends, resembling the saddlebags. This North American native mostly prefers stagnant, watery habitats like ponds, lakes, ditches, etc.
These dragonflies are very important to control the population of mosquitoes, as they mostly feed on them. Females tend to be larger than males. They are sometimes referred to as dancing gliders because of their unique mating style.
4. Black Darter
| Scientific name | Sympetrum danae |
| Size | 29 to 34 mm |
| Location | Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Northern England and on heaths in Southern England |
| Identification | Black body with yellow markings on their abdomen |
The black darter is commonly found in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Northern England, and on heaths in southern England in the months of June to October. They are considered Britain’s smallest dragonflies.
Males are almost black, with some yellow markings on their abdomen and thorax. Females are brownish-yellow in color and can be identified by their jet-black legs. These darter dragonflies mostly prefer wet, acidic heathlands and bogs.
5. American Emerald
| Scientific name | Cordulia shurtleffii |
| Size | 1.75 to 2 inches |
| Location | North America |
| Identification | Have black bodies with green emerald eyes |
Cordulia shurtleffii is commonly known as American Emerald and is found in North America. This American species has distinct green emerald eyes. Their bodies are also black, with a greenish sheen and transparent wings.
Their body length varies from 1.75 to 2 inches. You can find them flying near stagnant water sources like bog ponds, marshes, etc. from mid-May to mid-July.
6. Black-winged dragonlet
| Scientific name | Erythrodiplax funerea |
| Size | No information |
| Location | Central America, North America, and South America |
| Identification | Wings are black till nodus and the rest is transparent |
Erythrodiplax funerea is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is commonly known as a black-winged dragonlet. They prefer habitats with abundant vegetation and organic matter.
It is a medium-sized dragonfly and can be identified by its wings. Their wings are black until nodus, the rest of them are transparent, and their bodies are blackish blue in color. The mating process consists of two phases: the wheel formation and the oviposition.
7. Belted Whiteface
| Scientific name | Leucorrhinia proxima |
| Size | 1.3 to 1.4 inches |
| Location | Canada and the United States |
| Identification | Black body with white face and red thorax |
The belted Whiteface dragonfly is well known for its amazing appearance. You can easily identify them by their white faces and black legs. Their appearance changes with aging.
Also known as a red-waisted white face, males have red markings on the thorax. They are medium-sized, with an average length of 1.3 to 1.4 inches. They are seen near water bodies like ponds, lakes, etc. in Canada and the United States.
8. Pin-tailed pondhawk
| Scientific name | Erythemis plebeja |
| Size | 41 – 49 mm |
| Location | Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America |
| Identification | Black body with several white bands on their abdomen |
Dragonflies have the ability to mesmerize us. Here is one such dragonfly we have on our list: Erythemis plebeja. Pin-tailed pondhawk is the common name of this species, which belongs to the family Libellulidae and is native to the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America.
Males of this species are brighter than females. and have a black, long appendage arising from their abdomen, giving them the name pin-tailed. Talking about their general appearance, they have black bodies with white markings on their abdominal segments.
9. Lined hooktail
| Scientific name | Paragomphus lineatus |
| Abdomen Size | 31 to 37 mm |
| Location | Afghanistan, India, Iran, the Islamic Republic of Nepal, Pakistan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Turkey |
| Identification | yellow body with black markings and bluish gray eyes |
The abdominal segments of these dragonflies are yellow with black apical rings, making them quite unique in nature. Lined hooktails, or common hooktails, are some of the Paragomphus lineatus.
They have characteristic hook-like appendages on anal segments. Their eyes are bluish gray and have an abdominal size of 31 to 37 mm. They are commonly found from India to Turkey, including Afghanistan, India, Iran, the Islamic Republic of Nepal, Pakistan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Turkey.
10. Chalk-fronted corporal
| Scientific name | Ladona julia |
| Size | 1.6 to 1.8 inches |
| Location | Northern United States and southern Canada. |
| Identification | have black body with white coloration on thorax and abdomen |
The next black dragonfly we have on our list is Ladona julia. They are commonly known as chalk-fronted corporals as they have white coloration on the top of the thorax and base of the abdomen.
The size of these dragonflies ranges from 1.6 to 1.8 inches. The juvenile stages of these dragonflies are more brownish in color. This gregarious species is commonly found in the northern United States and southern Canada.
11. Dot-tailed whiteface
| Scientific name | Leucorrhinia intacta |
| Size | 25 to 38 mm |
| Location | North America |
| Identification | have mostly black body with white face |
Leucorrhinia intacta is commonly known as dot-tailed whiteface. In North America, including Canada and the Northern United States, it commonly occurs in boggy, marshy ponds, lakes, and beaver ponds.
It can be easily identified by the mostly black body with white face, and even in males, one yellow spot is present on the dorsal side of the abdomen, whereas the females have many yellow spots.
This black dragonfly species prefer to feed on mosquitoes, flies, butterflies, moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites. If anyone wants to admire this species, then they must wait for May.
12. Giant Petaltail
| Scientific name | Petalura ingentissima |
| Size | 4.92 inches |
| Location | Queensland, Australia |
| Identification | Have black body with yellow markings and large, transparent wings |
With a wingspan of 16 cm, the Giant Petaltail is one of the largest dragonflies in the world, as the name suggests. Not only that, but their appearance also makes them alluring yet distinctive.
As you can see in the picture, they can be identified by their large black body with yellow markings and large transparent wings. This Queensland endemic species primarily inhabits rainforest streams and rivers.
They live in underground burrows as larvae, and they hunt passing insects as adults. This particular species of dragonfly is extremely ancient and unusual, having existed on Earth for 200 million years.
They are named because of the wide appendages on the male abdomen that resemble petals and are used for mating.
Conclusion:
In this article, we list twelve black dragonflies found in nature. Like every insect, they are mesmerizing and have many benefits. So after reading this post, when you encounter this helicopter insect, aka dragonfly, you must admire the beauty of nature. We hope you like this article. We will come up with another blog soon.
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Being a zoology student I’m always been fascinated toward animals especially insects. I love to do research and learn about different animals. As a writer I want to share my thoughts about nature through my articles. Apart from this you can find me exploring the new places and voice notes.
