The Naming of Dragonflies

Sightings on Halibut Point

Calico pennant

The naming of many dragonflies has swept in as much of their charm as of our science.

Slaty skimmer

Their naming leads to words of elementary wonder and description.

Cherry-faced meadowhawk

On the wing, dragonflies seem like sparks of the spectrum. A close look while they're perched reveals iridescent details.



Black-tipped dasher

In some cases the name encompasses anatomy in action...

Blue dasher

...or makes reference to color in action.

Spot-winged glider

Gliders have particularly broad wings for riding the currents of air with less effort.

Wandering glider

The Wandering glider is a champion migrator. Its ability to stay airborne for long distances and periods of time brings it to nearly every continent. At Halibut Point it is more likely to be seen in flight than perched.

Green darner mating pair

Green darners get their name from resemblance to a darning needle. The female oviposits her eggs in aquatic vegetation by cutting a slit in a stem or leaf, and placing the eggs inside it.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Odontologists, the students of various ages who have named the Twelve-spotted skimmer, count only the black wing spots that appear on both sexes, to the exclusion of this male's additional whitish ones.



Painted skimmer

These insects capture artistic imagination in all cultures. Their life of metamorphoses, of predatory skill at every stage, of enviable flight, and of perennial return, spark attributes of magic, beauty, and invincibility. From children to warriors, they are the admirable dragons of water and air.