Band-winged Dragonlet

More Dragonfly Resources Skimmers Dragonfly Pictures

Erythrodiplax, more commonly called Dragonlets, are primarily a tropical genus of dragonflies. The name dragonlet correctly suggests a smaller than average dragonfly.

Four species can be found in the United States: Plateau Dragonlet; Seaside Dragonlet; Little Blue Dragonlet; Band-winged Dragonlet.

The Seaside and Little Blue Dragonlets have a fairly wide range, with the Seaside found along coastal areas of the Eastern Coast and Gulf of Mexico, and the Little Blue Dragonlet found inland along ponds and lakes, up and down the East Coast.

The Band-wing Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata) has a more limited range, although it is a fairy common resident of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Eastern Texas along the Gulf Coast region.

The top picture shows a male with a dark abdomen and dark bands in the middle of the wings.

Females have a typical brownish Libellulidae body. The side of the thorax is almost a solid yellow or cream color, making it a fairly good field identification mark.

© 2008. Patricia A. Michaels