Dragonflies come in a variety of bright, beautiful colors. One particularly striking species is the orange dragonfly. Orange dragonflies belong to several different genera and species, each with its own specific common name. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of orange dragonflies and the names by which each is known.
Dragonfly Naming Conventions
All dragonflies belong to the insect order Odonata. Odonata is divided into two suborders: Zygoptera (damselflies) and Anisoptera (true dragonflies). True dragonflies make up the bulk of what are commonly referred to as dragonflies.
Within the Anisoptera suborder, dragonflies are divided into several families based on physical characteristics and genetics. Some key dragonfly families containing orange species are the Libellulidae (skimmers), Corduliidae (emeralds), and Gomphidae (clubtails).
Dragonfly species are given a two-part Latin name consisting of the genus and species. The genus name is capitalized and the species name is all lowercase. For example, the Halloween pennant dragonfly is known by the scientific name Celithemis eponina.
Dragonflies are also given common names based on physical features, habitat, behavior, or other characteristics. Common names can vary regionally. Organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) help standardize common names.
Major Types of Orange Dragonflies
There are around 5,000 known dragonfly species in the world, of which over 400 species have bodies that display significant orange coloration. Here are some of the most common orange dragonflies you may encounter:
Halloween Pennant
The Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina) belongs to the skimmer family Libellulidae. They are found widely across North America. As their name suggests, these dragonflies have bright orange-yellow bodies and dark brown wing bands that resemble a pennant flag. They are common around ponds and slow streams.
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk
Saffron-winged meadowhawks (Sympetrum costiferum) are also skimmers in the Libellulidae family. They live across North America near marshes, bogs, and ponds. As their name indicates, their wings are a distinctive orange color. Their abdomen is also orange with yellow sides.
Spine-bearing Longtail
The spine-bearing longtail (Lindenia tetraphylla) belongs to the clubtail family Gomphidae. It inhabits streams across eastern North America. The abdomen on this dragonfly is entirely orange. Its thorax is also orange-tinged.
Swift River Cruiser
Swift river cruisers (Macromia illinoiensis) are very large emerald dragonflies in the Corduliidae family. They live around lakes and slow streams in the central United States and Canada. Their thorax and abdomen are bright pumpkin orange with black stripes.
Golden-winged Skimmer
The golden-winged skimmer (Libellula auripennis) lives up to its name with a golden orange body and wings. They range across most of North America around ponds, lakes, streams, and marshes. They are easily one of the most brilliantly colored dragonflies.
Why Are Some Dragonflies Orange?
The bright orange hues on many dragonflies serve important functions for the insect:
- Visual communication – The striking colors help dragonflies recognize others of the same species and distinguish between competing species.
- Thermoregulation – Darker colors absorb heat, helping the dragonfly become active and maintain flight in cooler weather.
- Camouflage – Dragonflies blend in with their surroundings when feeding and avoiding predators.
- Warning coloration – Orange may warn predators that the dragonfly could be distasteful or toxic.
Dragonflies obtain their orange pigmentation from carotenoids in their diet. Carotenoids are the same pigments that give carrots and other vegetables their orange hue. Nymphs get carotenoids by feeding on algae and prey. Adults acquire them from pollen and nectar.
Orange Dragonfly Habitats
Orange dragonflies frequent a variety of shallow, freshwater habitats across much of North America:
- Ponds – Calm, vegetated ponds provide prime breeding areas.
- Lakes – Many orange dragonflies patrol lake shorelines.
- Streams – Orange skimmers and clubtails live around gentle flowing streams.
- Marshes – Species like the saffron-winged meadowhawk prefer boggy wetlands.
All dragonflies require clean water to reproduce. Pollution and habitat loss threaten many species. Orange dragonflies indicate a healthy freshwater habitat.
Orange Dragonfly Life Cycle
Like all dragonflies, orange dragonflies begin life as aquatic nymphs before transforming into flying adults. The typical life cycle goes:
- Eggs are laid in water by a female dragonfly.
- Nymphs hatch from eggs and live underwater, feeding on other invertebrates.
- Over months to years, nymphs molt and grow through juvenile stages.
- In the final nymphal stage, the dragonfly crawls out of the water and transforms into an adult.
- The adult dragonfly emerges, leaving behind its old exoskeleton.
- Adults mate, the female lays eggs, and the cycle repeats.
Dragonfly nymphs look completely different from adults. They are drab brown or gray and lack wings. Orange coloration does not develop until the final adult stage.
Threats to Orange Dragonflies
Some major threats facing many orange dragonfly species include:
- Habitat degradation – Pollution, drought, development, draining of wetlands.
- Water pollution – From fertilizers, pesticides, mining, and industrial waste.
- Invasive species – Aggressive non-native plants and animals that alter ecosystems.
- Climate change – Changing weather, temperatures, and rainfall patterns.
Protecting water quality and wetland habitats from pollution and development is key to dragonfly conservation. Restoring degraded habitats can also help expand dragonfly populations.
Interesting Orange Dragonfly Facts
- Dragonflies have six legs, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and large multifaceted eyes.
- They are ancient insects – dragonflies lived 300 million years ago in the Carboniferous Period.
- Orange dragonflies can fly at speeds up to 30-35 miles per hour.
- Their head can turn 180 degrees to look for prey or mates.
- Dragonfly nymphs are fierce underwater predators that eat mosquito larvae.
- Adult dragonflies catch their prey on the fly, even other insects.
- They are valuable indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.
Conclusion
Orange dragonflies add a splash of color along the water’s edge and contribute to healthy aquatic habitats. They belong to a variety of genera and species with colorful common names like Halloween pennants and saffron-winged meadowhawks. Orange coloration serves important functions for dragonflies like species recognition, thermoregulation, and warning coloration. Protecting wetland environments will help ensure the survival of these beautiful insects into the future.