Reference and Identification Page for the Dragonflies of Northern New Jersey

Dragonflies of Northern New Jersey
Although all of the Dragonflies on this page were photographed in northern NJ, most of these Dragonflies' range can be found in the northeastern United States (US / USA).
The identification photos are organized by family. Photos start lower on page.

The family pages are constantly being updated with Dragonfly photos. The majority of NEW Dragonfly species that will be added will be spring through fall. Thank you for your patience, and if we don't have a specific species, check back later.

Please contact Rachel L. Garris with any questions that you may have; about Dragonflies only please; at rachelgarris95@gmail.com.

Links by Family

Clubtails (Gomphidae)
Cruisers (Macromiidae)
Darners (Aeshnidae)
Emeralds (Corduliidae)
Skimmers (Libellulidae)
Spiketails (Cordulegastridae)

Clubtails (Gomphidae)

Latin Name	Common Name	NJ Status
Arigomphus villosipes	Unicorn Clubtail	S?

Gomphus exilis	Lancet Clubtail	S5

Gomphus lividus	Ashy Clubtail	S4

Ophiogomphus aspersus	Brook Snaketail	S1S2

Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis	Rusty Snaketail	S2S3

Cruisers (Macromiidae)

Latin Name	Common Name	NJ Status
Didymops transversa	Stream Cruiser	S5

Darners (Aeshnidae)

Latin Name	Common Name	NJ Status
Aeshna canadensis	Canada Darner	S2S3

Aeshna constricta	Lance-tipped Darner	S2S3

Aeshna umbrosa	Shadow Darner	S5	Female (above)	-

Aeshna verticalis	Green-striped Darner	S2S3

Anax junius	Common Green Darner	S5B, S5N	Juvenile Male (above)	Male blue, Copulation Wheel (above)
Anax junius	Common Green Darner	S5B, S5N	Male (above)

Anax longipes	Comet Darner	S2S3	Male (above)	Female (above)
Anax longipes	Comet Darner	S2S3	Male (above)	Female (above)

Basiaeschna janata	Springtime Darner	S5

Boyeria vinosa	Fawn Darner	S5

Gomphaeschna furcillata	Harlequin Darner	S5	-	Male (above)
Gomphaeschna furcillata	Harlequin Darner	S5	-	Female (above)
Gomphaeschna furcillata	Harlequin Darner	S5	-	Male (above)

Emeralds (Corduliidae)

Latin Name	Common Name	NJ Status
Dorocordulia libera	Racket-tailed Emerald	S2S3
Dorocordulia libera	Racket-tailed Emerald	S2S3

Epitheca cynosura	Common Baskettail	S5

Epitheca princeps	Prince Baskettail	S5

Somatochlora linearis	Mocha Emerald	S2

Somatochlora tenebrosa	Clamp-Tipped Emerald	S4S5

Skimmers (Libellulidae)

Latin Name	Common Name	NJ Status
Celithemis elisa	Calico Pennant	S5	Male (above)	-
Celithemis elisa	Calico Pennant	S5	Female (above)	Male (top, above)

Celithemis eponina	Halloween Pennant	S5
Celithemis eponina	Halloween Pennant	S5

Celithemis fasciata	Banded Pennant	S4

Erythemis simplicicollis	Eastern Pondhawk	S5	Female (above)	Male (above)
Erythemis simplicicollis	Eastern Pondhawk	S5	Female (above)

Ladona julia	Chalk-fronted Corporal	S4	Male (above)	Female (above)

Leucorrhinia frigida	Frosted Whiteface	S2	Male (above)

Leucorrhinia glacialis	Crimson-ringed Whiteface	S1	Male (above)	-
Leucorrhinia glacialis	Crimson-ringed Whiteface	S1	Male (above)	Male (above)

Leucorrhinia intacta	Dot-tailed Whiteface	S4S5	Male (above)	Female (above)

Libellula cyanea	Spangled Skimmer	S5	Male (above)	Female (above)
Libellula cyanea	Spangled Skimmer	S5	Female (above)	Male (above)

Libellula incesta	Slaty Skimmer	S5	Female (above)	Male (above)
Libellula incesta	Slaty Skimmer	S5	Female (above)

Libellula luctuosa	Widow Skimmer	S5	Female (above)	Male (above)
Libellula luctuosa	Widow Skimmer	S5	Male (above)	Female (above)

Libellula pulchella	Twelve-spotted Skimmer	S5	Male (above)	Female (above)
Libellula pulchella	Twelve-spotted Skimmer	S5	Juvenile Male (above)	Male (above)

Libellula quadrimaculata	Four-spotted Skimmer	S3

Libellula semifasciata	Painted Skimmer	S5

Pachydiplax longipennis	Blue Dasher	S5	Female (above)	Male (above)
Pachydiplax longipennis	Blue Dasher	S5	Male (above)	Female (above)

Perithemis tenera	Eastern Amberwing	S5	Male (above)	Female (above)

Plathemis lydia	Common Whitetail	S5	Female (above)	Male (above)
Plathemis lydia	Common Whitetail	S5	Juvenile Male (above)

Sympetrum internum	Cherry-faced Meadowhawk	?

Sympetrum obtrusum	White-faced Meadowhawk	SU

Sympetrum semicinctum	Band-winged Meadowhawk	S3S4

Sympetrum vicinum	Autumn Meadowhawk	S5	-	Male (top, above)
Sympetrum vicinum	Autumn Meadowhawk	S5

Tramea carolina	Carolina Saddlebags	S4S5B, SZN

Tramea lacerata	Black Saddlebags	S4S5B, SZN	Male (above)

Spiketails (Cordulegastridae)

Latin Name	Common Name	NJ Status
Cordulegaster diastatops	Delta-spotted Spiketail	S3S4

Cordulegaster maculata	Twin-spotted Spiketail	S4

Cordulegaster obliqua	Arrowhead Spiketail	S2