Mexico is home to an amazing diversity of dragonflies that dazzle with their aerial acrobatics and vibrant colors. From tiny damselflies that perch on jungle foliage to giant darners that rule mountain streams, the skies above Mexican waters teem with these aerial aces. Whether perched sentinel-like on a branch or zipping low over the water in frantic pursuit of prey, dragonflies portray nature’s epitome of aerial agility and brutish beauty. This article profiles 20 of the most common dragonfly species found throughout Mexico, from the electric blue Variable Dancer to the multicolored Aztec Dancer of cloud forests. Join us to explore these aerial jewel as we uncover their unique habitats, behaviors and impressive adaptations.
| Dragonfly | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Variable Dancer (Argia variegata) | Males have a vibrant blue thorax with yellow wing spots. Females have yellowish brown markings. Found near streams, ponds and swamps. Known for intricate courtship dances. | Up to 2 inches |
| Blue Corporal (Ladona exusta) | With iridescent blue bodies and clear wings, females have brownish coloration. Inhabits marshes, lakes and slow-moving rivers. Perch prominently and aggressively defend territories. | Around 1.5 inches |
| Checkered Setwing (Arigomphus cornutus) | Named for the distinctive checkerboard pattern on its dark wings. Its body is black with yellow highlights. Often seen perching or flying rapidly to pursue prey. | About 2 inches |
| Seepwood Fallsfly (Protosticta plumigera) | Has a unique greenish-blue body with dark blue stripes. Wings are transparent with brown veins. Lives near waterfalls and streams in forests. Spotted perching on wet rocks and foliage. | Approximately 1.5 inches |
| Taper-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia lepida) | Has a noticeably tapered abdomen that is emerald green with black markings. Clear wings have reddish veins. Commonly seen perched or zipping rapidly above waters. | Around 1.5-2 inches |
| Mexican Blue (Enallagma novaehispaniae) | Has a powder blue colored body with darker wing tips. Lives near streams, ponds and marshes surrounded by trees or shrubs. Males form ‘mating wheels’. | About 1-1.25 inches |
| Sulphur-tipped Clubtail (Gomphus flavipes) | Has an olive green thorax marked with yellow sides and a yellow abdomen with black stripes. Wings are tinted yellow-brown. Appendages at tail end. Found near forest streams. | 2-2.5 inches |
| Marbled Pennant (Brachymesia gravida) | Has a bold pattern of black and yellow markings all over its body. Wings have black bullseye patterns in females. Found near forests or jungles. Males form ‘pennants’. | Around 2 inches |
| Saber-striped Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) | Has distinctive wide black stripes running down its long reddish-brown body. Females are duller. Live near freshwater habitats surrounded by brush or trees. | 2-2.5 inches |
| Kayena Blue (Aphylla ambigua) | Has a powder blue colored body with clear, unmarked wings. Found along streams and rivers surrounded by tropical forest. Rests with wings closed atop foliage. | 1-1.25 inches |
| Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis) | Has wings tinted golden-orange with thicker dark veins. Its body is dark brown to black. Lives along slow moving waters surrounded by open woodlands. | Around 2 inches |
| Green-faced Bluet (Enallagma divisorium) | Easily identified by its powder blue thorax marked with bright emerald green eyes and face. Abdomen has lateral blue stripes. Wings are clear with slightly darker wingtips. | 1-1.25 inches |
| Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) | Has a vivid powder blue body with black wing veins forming distinctive patterns. Males have blue eyes while females have green/brown eyes. Inhabits grassy waters surrounded by prairies and open woods. | 1.75-2 inches |
| Blue Corporal (Ladona deplana) | Looks similar to a previous species but has a metallic blue thorax and reddish brown eyes. Abdomen is metallic blue with yellow and black stripes. Lives in wooded waters. | Around 2 inches |
| Sphinx Dronefly (Erythrodiplax umbrata) | Has a stout body like a sphinx moth with a dark brown thorax and smoky grey banded abdomen. Wings are faintly tinted brown. Inhabits forest streams in mountain areas. | 2-2.5 inches |
| Violet Dancer (Argia violetta) | Has a vivid violet colored body with clear wings. Inhabits marshes, streams and pond edges surrounded by open woods or grassland. | 1-1.25 inches |
| Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum) | Has pruinose blue markings on its thorax and abdomen. Wings are clear with a faint blue tint. Inhabits vegetated pond and marsh borders. | 1-1.25 inches |
| Brushing Scrubber (Protoneura nigra) | Has a shiny black body and clear wings with black veins. Males have curved brush-like appendages. Inhabits streams and rivers in forested tropical areas. | 1-1.25 inches |
| Comet Darner (Tragogomphus genei) | Has a slender reddish brown body with black stripes. Wings are tinted amber or yellowish along thick black veins. Lives near mountain waters clad in tropical forest. | 2.5-3 inches |
| Aztec Dancer (Rhionaeschna multicolor) | Has a metallic blue-green thorax and multicolored variegated abdomen. Wings are transparent with dark veins. Lives near montane streams, marshes and pools in cloud forest. | 1.75-2 inches |
1. Variable Dancer (Argia variegata)
The Variable Dancer is one of the most abundant dragonflies found throughout Mexico. Males have a vibrant blue thorax with yellow wing spots. Females have yellowish brown markings. This species is typically found near streams, ponds and swamps. They are agile fliers known for their intricate courtship dances above the water’s surface. Males grasp females during mating and fly in synchronized loops. The Variable Dancer can reach lengths up to 2 inches.
2. Blue Corporal (Ladona exusta)
With iridescent blue bodies and clear wings, the Blue Corporal is unmistakable. Females have brownish coloration. This dragonfly inhabits marshes, lakes and slow-moving rivers. They perch prominently on bare vegetation near water. Males aggressively defend territories and will chase away other males. The Blue Corporal has a fast, erratic flight. They snatch flying or sitting prey such as insects, spiders and small fish. At maturity this species is around 1.5 inches long.
3. Checkered Setwing (Arigomphus cornutus)
The Checkered Setwing dragonfly is named for the distinctive checkerboard pattern on its dark wings. Its body is black with yellow highlights. These dragonflies are often seen perching prominently on bare twigs or on the ground near ponds, streams and swamps. They can fly rapidly to pursue aerial prey or fly short distances to defend territories. Males form ‘mating swarms’ above waters where females visit to choose mates and oviposit. At maturity this species reaches about 2 inches in length.
4. Seepwood Fallsfly (Protosticta plumigera)
The Seepwood Fallsfly has a unique greenish-blue body with dark blue stripes. Its wings are transparent with brown veins. This endangered species tends to live in forests near waterfalls and cascading mountain streams. They are often spotted perching on wet rocks and foliage near the water’s edge. Females lay eggs by dipping the tip of their abdomen into crevices. At maturity the Seepwood Fallsfly is approximately 1.5 inches long with a wingspan just over 2 inches. Due to their habitat specificity, these dragonflies have a very limited range in Mexico.
5. Taper-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia lepida)
As its name implies, the Taper-tailed Emerald dragonfly has a noticeably tapered abdomen. Its body is emerald green with black markings. Clear wings have reddish veins. These dragonflies are commonly seen perched on vegetation or zipping rapidly above ponds, lakes and marshes. Females lay eggs by dipping the tip of their abdomen into water while in flight. At maturity they reach around 1.5-2 inches in length. The Taper-tailed Emerald is usually solitary but will gather in groups to feed or take advantage of optimal breeding habitats.
6. Mexican Blue (Enallagma novaehispaniae)
The Mexican Blue dragonfly has a powder blue colored body with darker wing tips. As with most damselflies, it has narrow folded wings and a delicate appearance. This species lives near streams, ponds and marshes surrounded by trees or shrubs. They perch on nearby vegetation and fly rapidly to pursue flying insects. Males form ‘mating wheels’ above waters where females oviposit. At maturity Mexican Blues reach about 1-1.25 inches in length. They are commonly seen throughout central and northern parts of Mexico.
7. Sulphur-tipped Clubtail (Gomphus flavipes)
The Sulphur-tipped Clubtail dragonfly lives near forest streams in mountainous areas of Mexico. It has an olive green thorax marked with yellow sides. Abdomen is yellow with black stripes. Wings are tinted yellow-brown. Both sexes have enlarged vertically flattened appendages at the tail end. These clubtails perch on bare banks or rocks near water. They are swift fliers that snatch flying prey or trail legs in the water to catch drifting invertebrates. At maturity Sulphur-tipped Clubtails reach 2-2.5 inches in length.
8. Marbled Pennant (Brachymesia gravida)
The Marbled Pennant dragonfly has a bold pattern of black and yellow markings all over its body. Clear wings have black bullseye patterns in females. These dragonflies are found near ponds, lakes and marshes surrounded by forest or jungle vegetation. They perch prominently on bare stems or dash rapidly above the water’s surface. Males form stacked mating groups called ‘pennants’ where females stop to choose mates and lay eggs. At maturity Marbled Pennants typically reach around 2 inches in length.
9. Saber-striped Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea)
True to its name, the Saber-striped Skimmer dragonfly has distinctive wide black stripes running down its long reddish-brown body. Females are duller in color. They live near freshwater habitats surrounded by brush or trees from southern Mexico down through Central America. These skimmers perch upright on bare branches or tall vegetation. Their powerful flapping flight and territorial behavior makes them a commonly seen dragonfly. At maturity Saber-striped Skimmers measure 2-2.5 inches long.
10. Kayena Blue (Aphylla ambigua)
The Kayena Blue damselfly has a powder blue colored body with clear, unmarked wings. It is found along streams and rivers surrounded by tropical forest and jungle. Like most damselflies, it rests with wings closed atop foliage near water. This species perches close to the ground and flies sporadically after aerial insects or spiders. At maturity Kayena Blues are approximately 1-1.25 inches in length. They are abundant in coastal areas from southern Mexico down through Central America.
11. Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis)
True to its name, the Golden-winged Skimmer has wings tinted golden-orange with thicker dark veins. Its body is dark brown to black. These dragonflies live along slow moving streams, ponds and lakes surrounded by open woodlands. They perch prominently on branches or tall reeds with wings held out from the body. Golden-winged Skimmers are strong fliers that pursue aerial prey over the water. Mature individuals reach around 2 inches in length. They often congregate in groups to bask or take advantage of optimal breeding sites.
12. Green-faced Bluet (Enallagma divisorium)
The Green-faced Bluet damselfly is easily identified by its powder blue thorax marked with bright emerald green eyes and face. Abdomen has lateral blue stripes. Wings are clear with slightly darker wingtips. This species lives near ponds, marshes and lakes within open woodlands. They perch on emergent vegetation near the water or fly rapidly above in pursuit of small insects. At maturity Green-faced Bluets measure approximately 1-1.25 inches long. They make seasonal mass migrations along waterways and congregate in large emergent mating groups.
13. Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
The Blue Dasher dragonfly has a vivid powder blue body with black wing veins forming distinctive patterns. Males have blue eyes while females have green/brown eyes. These skimmers inhabit grassy ponds, marshes and ditches surrounded by prairies and open woods from northern down through central Mexico. They perch openly on tall stems or dash rapidly through the air pursuing insect prey. At maturity Blue Dashers reach about 1.75-2 inches in length. They are commonly seen flying in pairs or small aggregations near optimal habitats.
14. Blue Corporal (Ladona deplana)
The Blue Corporal dragonfly looks quite similar to the a previously described Blue Corporal species, but has key distinguishing features. It has a metallic blue thorax and reddish brown eyes. Abdomen is metallic blue with yellow and black stripes. Wings are clear with black venation. This species lives in wooded streams, rivers and marshes. They perch prominently on vegetation near water and are strong fliers. At maturity Blue Corporals measure approximately 2 inches long. These territorial dragonflies can often be seen aggressively chasing away other males.
15. Sphinx Dronefly (Erythrodiplax umbrata)
As its name suggests, the Sphinx Dronefly dragonfly has a stout-bodied appearance like the sphinx moth. It has a dark brown thorax and smoky grey banded abdomen. Wings are faintly tinted brown. These skimmers inhabit forest streams in mountainous areas from central Mexico down through Central America. They perch upright on rocks, logs or bare tree branches near water. At maturity Sphinx Droneflies reach 2-2.5 inches in length. Despite their bulky appearance, they are swift fliers that zip rapidly through vegetation in pursuit of prey.
16. Violet Dancer (Argia violetta)
The Violet Dancer damselfly has a vivid violet colored body with clear wings. They inhabit marshes, streams and pond edges surrounded by open woods or grassland. These damselflies perch on stones or emergent stems near water with wings closed upright. At maturity they reach 1-1.25 inches in length. Violet Dancers fly close to vegetation in search of small insects, spiders and other invertebrates. They are commonly seen throughout much of central and northern Mexico.
17. Slender Bluet (Enallagma traviatum)
The slender-bodied Slender Bluet damselfly has pruinose blue markings on its thorax and abdomen. Wings are clear with a faint blue tint. They inhabit vegetated borders around ponds, lakes and marshes in a variety of habitats from central Mexico down through Central America. At maturity Slender Bluets reach approximately 1-1.25 inches in length. They rest on nearby plant stems with wings closed and fly sporadically to pursue small flying prey.
18. Brushing Scrubber (Protoneura nigra)
The Brushing Scrubber damselfly has a shiny black body and clear wings with black veins. As with most brushleg damselflies, males have unique curved brush-like appendages at the tip of the abdomen. They inhabit streams and rivers in forested tropical areas from southern Mexico down through Central America. Brushing Scrubbers perch near water on mosses, ferns or rocks. At maturity they reach 1-1.25 inches in length. Territorial males defend patrol areas by veering at intruders with their abdominal brushes.
19. Comet Darner (Tragogomphus genei)
The Comet Darner dragonfly lives near mountain streams, rivers and waterfalls clad in tropical forest from southern Mexico down through Central America. It has a slender reddish brown body with black stripes on the sides. Wings are tinted amber or yellowish along thick black veins. These large darners perch upright on riverside rocks or vegetation. At maturity Comet Darners reach approximately 2.5-3 inches in length with a wingspan over 4 inches. Despite their size, they are agile fliers chasing flying prey or patrolling meters above the water.
20. Aztec Dancer (Rhionaeschna multicolor)
The Aztec Dancer dragonfly lives near montane streams, marshes and pools surrounded by cloud forest in southern Mexico. It has a metallic blue-green thorax and multicolored abdomen of yellow, orange, red and black variegated stripes. Wings are transparent with dark veins. At maturity Aztec Dancers reach 1.75-2 inches in length. They slowly patrol aquatic vegetation or perch motionlessly on trunks and branches near water in watch for potential prey like flying insects or crawling invertebrates. Due to their specific habitat, Aztec Dancers have a restricted endemic range in Mexico.