Dragonflies of Boulder County, Colorado

Boulder County Audubon Society presents the following guide to 40 species of dragonflies found from the plains to the foothills. Dragonflies are very watchable insects, commonly found around most wetland habitats. This guide was compiled by local dragonfly enthusiast Scott Severs, with support from Ann Cooper and Steve Jones. Please direct any comments or errata to Scott Severs. 

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Variable Darner (m) -- (Aeshna interrupta). This strong flier, like other darners, is rarely seen perched. Often forms large feeding swarms over clearings Key field marks: side stripes on thorax are narrow or interrupted. Habitat: lakes, bogs, ponds--even saline ponds. Season: summer to fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Paddle-tailed Darner (m) -- (Aeshna palmata). This strong flier, like other darners, is rarely seen perched. Key field marks: face and thoracic stripes are greenish and the appendages at the abdomen tip are paddle-shaped. Habitat: ponds, lakes, and small streams. Season: spring to fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Blue-eyed Darner (f) -- (Aeshna multicolor). One of our largest dragonflies, like other darners, it is rarely seen perched. When perched it hangs vertically from vegetation. Key field marks: bright blue eyes. Habitat: ponds, slow moving streams, and open fields. Season: spring to fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Common Green Darner (m) -- (Anax junius). This colorful dragonfly dwarfs most others, and is the largest species in Colorado. Key field marks: Bold green eyes, face, and thorax. Bright blue abdomen, with dark center line down top. Habitat: ponds. Flight season: Early spring to fall, migratory. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Pale Snaketail (f) -- (Ophiogomphus severus). During a walk along a foothill trail, one can often come across one of these resting on the gravel. Key field marks: Pale green and yellow body, Snake-like patterning along the abdomen, ending in a swollen tip resembling a snake's head. Turquiose eyes. Habitat: streams and rivers. Often found foraging away from water. Flight season: May to October. Photo by Scott Severs.
Hudsonian Emerald -- (Somatochlora hudsonica). Ann writes “Almost drowned specimen in poor shape—but they’re hard to photograph alive—always in flight.” A high country species, Emeralds are named for their bright green eyes. Habitat: high country lakes and ponds. Season: late spring to fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Dot-winged Baskettail -- (Epitheca petechialis). One of the earliest dragonflies to emerge, often found in wooded areas away from water. Generally dull, and dark colored with yellow dots along a black abdomen. Season: spring and summer. Photo by Steve Jones.	Common Whitetail (m) -- (Plathemis lydia). Similar to the male Widow Skimmer, the back bands in the wings of this species are near the tips. Seeing the thick white abdomen of the male in the air reminds one of a flying piece of chalk! Often perches on ground or somewhat vertical on vegetation. Habitat: ponds and marshes. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Common Whitetail (f) -- (Plathemis lydia). With six dark wing patches and slanted yellow side-stripes on the abdomen, the female is unlke the male in appearance. Many dragonfly species have males and females that look different. Often perches on ground or may be seen "dipping" rapidly over the pond as she deposits eggs. Habitat: ponds and marshes. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Four-spotted Skimmer -- (Libellula quadrimaculata). Look for the small dark spots at the mid-points of the wings. The abdomen is increasingly dark near the tip and has a series of dashes on the sides. Habitat: boggy mountain ponds. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.
Eight-spotted Skimmer (m) -- (Libellula forensis). These dragonflies are named for the 8 black spots on the wings. They lack the black spots at the wing tips of the very similar twelve-spotted skimmer. Habitat: ponds and meadows often away from streams. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Twelve-spotted Skimmer (m) -- (Libellula pulchella). Strong fliers, these dragonflies are named for the 12 black spots on the wings. Males also have contrasting white patches on the wings. Habitat: ponds and meadows often away from streams. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Twelve-spotted Skimmer (f) -- (Libellula pulchella). Strong fliers, these dragonflies are named for the 12 black spots on the wings. Females lack the white wing patches and tail of the male. Habitat: ponds and meadows often away from streams. Season: summer. Photo by Steve Jones.	Widow Skimmer (m) -- (Libellula luctuosa). An aggressive common dragonfly around the edges of ponds. Males commonly patrol a territory, watching intently from a perch at the water's edge. Key field marks: black and white banded wings and pale blue/white abdomen in male. Habitat: most large ponds on the plains. Season: spring to fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Widow Skimmer (f) -- (Libellula luctuosa). While males are an aggressively common dragonfly around the edges of ponds, females often retire from the clamor, prefering to hunt and rest in fields and pastures. Key field marks: black banded wings, yellow and black striped abdomen. Habitat: most large ponds and adjacent meadows on the plains. Season: spring to fall. Photo by Steve Jones.
Eastern Amberwing (m) -- (Perithemis tenera). Our smallest dragonfly, this species resembles a wasp or a bee with quick wingbeats and its orange coloration. Habitat: large ponds. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Calico Pennant (m) -- (Celithemis elisa). A small population of this species occurs at Pella Crossing Open Space near Hygiene, Colorado--a surprising discovery. An eastern species . . . did it get introduced by fish stocking programs? Very few records occur for the state of Colorado. Males have striking red and black markings in the abdomen have dark wingtips, midwing spots, and large basal spots in the hindwings. Habitat: fields with taller grasses. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Calico Pennant -- (Celithemis elisa). Females and immature males have this yellowish coloring. An eastern species . . . did it get introduced by fish stocking programs? Very few records occur for the state of Colorado. Habitat: fields with taller grasses. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Halloween Pennant (m) -- (Calithemis eponina). A striking dragonfly with orange wings with dark red markings, and a red and black abdomen. Pennants often perch atop tall grasses, waving their wings. Habitat: wet meadows. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Halloween Pennant (m & f) -- (Celithemis eponia). This pair in a copulatory wheel. A dramatic orange colored dragonfly with dark stripes in the wings. Pennants often perch at the tops of tall grasses, their wings waving like small flags. Habitat: Large ponds with adjacent meadows. Season: summer and fall. Photo by Steve Jones.
Belted Whiteface (m) -- (Leucorrhinia proxima). This species forages from atop weeds and grasses in sunny patches in forest clearings. Key field marks: crimson red thorax and first two segments of abdomen. Bright white face. Habitat: bogs and foothills ponds. Season: spring to fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Dot-tailed Whiteface (m) -- (Leucorrhinia intacta). Overshadowed by its more colorful relatives, the male of this aptly named species has a cream dot near the end of its abdomen. A bright white face contrasts nicely against black eyes. Perches quietly at a pond edges. Habitat: mountain ponds to plains. Season: spring to fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Eastern Pondhawk (m) -- (Erthemis simplicicolis). Male pondhawks are slate blue with an emerald green face. Male Eastern Pondhawks have white appendages at the very tip of their tails. Pondhawks prefer to perch horizontally on logs and rocks at the edge of water. Habitat: shorelines of ponds. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Eastern Pondhawk (f) -- (Erthemis simplicicolis). Female pondhawks are emerald green. The Eastern Pondhawk has broad black stripes around sections of the abdomen. Female and male Eastern Pondhawks have white appendages at the very tip of their tails. Pondhawks prefer to perch horizontally on logs and rocks at the edge of water. Habitat: shorelines of ponds. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Western Pondhawk (m) -- (Erythemis collocata). Male Western Pondhawks have black appendages at the tip of their tails. Habitat: deep ponds with abundant cattails. Season: spring through fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.
Western Pondhawk (f) -- (Erythemis collocata). The female Western Pondhawk is distinguished from the Eastern Pondhawk by having a greener abdomen, with tan edges. Habitat: large ponds. Season: spring through fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Variegated Meadowhawk (m) -- (Sympetrum corruptum). One of our most abundant dragonflies, like most meadowhawks this species is often found in fields. Colored with red, orange, and yellow, white "portholes" along the sides of the abdomen are a good field mark. Habitat: most wetlands with adjacent fields. Season: summer and fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Variegated Meadowhawk (f) -- (Sympetrum corruptum). One of our most abundant dragonflies, like most meadowhawks this species is often found in fields. Females are yellow with white "portholes" along the sides of the abdomen. Habitat: most wetlands with adjacent fields. Season: summer. Photo by Steve Jones	White-faced Meadowhawk (m) -- (Sympetrum obtrusum). A bright white face distinguishes this species from other red male meadowhawks in Boulder County. Habitats: along the edge of ponds and marshy areas in wooded areas. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	White-faced Meadowhawk (f) -- (Sympetrum obtrusum). A pale yellow face distinguishes this species from other female meadowhawks in Boulder County. Often found along the edge of ponds and marshy areas in wooded areas. Season: summer. Photo by Steve Jones.
Striped Meadowhawk (m) -- (Sympetrum pallipes). Of the red meadowhawks in Boulder County, this species is easily distinguished from others by the white stripes along the thorax. Habitat: shallow ponds often near woody lots. Season: summer and fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (m) -- (Sympetrum internum). This species is distinguished from other red colored meadowhawks by the red face. Habitat: the edges of marshes and lakes. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Band-winged Meadowhawk (m) -- (Sympetrum semicinctum). One of the more common dragonflies in open grassy areas. All four wings are colored by amber bands on the inner half of the wings. Females also have banded wings, and their bodies are yellow with extensive black markings. Season: summer to fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.	Band-winged Meadowhawk (f) -- (Sympetrum semicinctum). One of the more common dragonflies in open grassy areas. All four wings are colored by amber bands on the inner half of the wings. Females also have banded wings, and their bodies are yellow with extensive black markings. Season: summer to fall. Photo by Steve Jones.	Black Meadowhawk (m) -- (Sympetrum danae). Males are small all black or brownish meadowhawks, females are similar to female Band-winged Meadowhawks. Habitat: marshes. Season: summer. Photo by Ann Cooper.
Autumn Meadowhawk (m) -- (Sympetrum vicinum). Often the last dragonfly to be seen in a calendar year. Males are all red, lacking the black markings along the abdomen that characterize other red colored meadowhawks. Also legs are yellowish brown as as opposed to black in other species. Abundant and gregarious. Habitat: permanent water with trees and shrubs. Season: late summer and fall. Photo by Steve Jones.	Autumn Meadowhawk (f & m in tandem) -- (Sympetrum vicinum). Often the last dragonfly to be seen in a calendar year. Males are all red, lacking the black markings along the abdomen that characterize other red colored meadowhawks. Also legs are yellowish brown as as opposed to black in other species. Abundant and gregarious. Habitat: permanent water with trees and shrubs. Season: late summer and fall. photo by Ann Cooper.	Blue Dasher (m) -- (Pachydiplax longipennis). This common dragonfly is also one of the most approachable. Often sitting on the tip of a cattail leave, their wings are held in a “set wing” position. down and forward for quick takeoffs. Key fieldmarks: yellow stripes on sides of thorax, turquiose eyes, white face with black “nose” between eyes, blue abdomen. Habitat: ponds, gentle streams. Season: all summer. Photo by Scott Severs.	Black Saddlebags (m) -- (Tramea lacerata). Black saddlebags spend much of the day flying along the edge of ponds, but often soaring over fields and meadows. Season: spring through fall. Photo by Steve Jones.	Wandering Glider -- (Pantala flavescens) A large yellow orange dragonfly know for its tendancy to wander in search of temporary rain pools in which to lay eggs. Habitat: large ponds or rain-filled water holes. Season: summer and fall. Photo by Ann Cooper.

Examples of Dragonfly Viewing Locations (Of course, there are many other locations that dragonfly lovers can discover on their own!)

The Walden/Sawhill Ponds	The Walden/Sawhill Ponds Complex provides easy viewing opportunities for dragonflies and damselflies. Access is available for all ages and abilities.
Pella Crossing near Hygiene	Pella Crossing near Hygiene has a nice mixture of ponds and wet meadows attractive to dragonflies and damselflies.
Golden Ponds in Longmont	Golden Ponds in Longmont has easy access to a large number of ponds and many species of dragonflies.

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