Invertebrates
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis · also called eastern pondhawks
Perched low on a bare patch of ground near a suburban pond, a bright green eastern pondhawk watches for movement, then launches suddenly to seize a passing insect nearly its own size, an aggression that sets it apart from most other dragonflies sharing the same water.
Overview
The eastern pondhawk, Erythemis simplicicollis, is a common, aggressively predatory dragonfly native to ponds, lakes, and slow-moving freshwater habitat across most of the United States and parts of southern Canada. Its dramatic green-to-blue colour change with age, unusually bold hunting behaviour, and habit of perching on bare ground rather than vegetation make it one of the more behaviourally distinctive dragonflies in North America.
A hunter unafraid of its own kind
Most dragonflies avoid tangling with prey close to their own size, but the eastern pondhawk regularly attacks and consumes other dragonflies, a boldness in its hunting behaviour that has made it a subject of frequent naturalist observation.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and abundant across suitable freshwater wetland habitat throughout most of the United States.
Eastern Pondhawk: common questions
Why does the eastern pondhawk change colour as it ages?
Young adults and females of this species start out bright green, while mature males gradually develop a powdery blue coating known as pruinosity over much of the body as they age, a common pattern in dragonflies that can make identifying the sex and age of an individual straightforward once the difference is known.
Does the eastern pondhawk really eat other dragonflies?
Yes, this species is notably aggressive for a dragonfly and will readily attack and consume prey close to its own body size, including other dragonfly species it happens to encounter while hunting, a level of boldness that sets it apart from many more cautious dragonfly species.
Where does the eastern pondhawk perch while hunting?
Unlike many dragonflies that perch prominently on tall vegetation, this species frequently perches directly on bare ground or low rocks near water, using these low vantage points to spot and ambush passing insect prey before darting out to catch it.
Where is the eastern pondhawk commonly found?
This species is one of the most frequently encountered dragonflies across a broad range of the United States, commonly seen around ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams, including in suburban and urban settings with suitable water nearby.