Orange-bellied Skimmer vs Common Green Darner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Orange-bellied Skimmer Common Green Darner
Scientific Name Libellula jesseana Anax junius
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Libellulidae Aeshnidae
Size 4-5 cm 68-80 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions United States, Canada North America, Central America
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Orange-bellied Skimmer

A rare North American dragonfly found in acidic bog ponds and fens. It is extremely localized across scattered populations in northeastern states.

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Did You Know?

It breeds only in very specific acidic water conditions that are becoming increasingly rare.

Common Green Darner

A large migratory dragonfly with a green thorax and blue abdomen found across North America. It undertakes multigenerational migrations spanning thousands of kilometers.

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Did You Know?

Green darners migrate in swarms of millions from Canada to Mexico each autumn, with the return journey completed by their offspring the following spring.