Dragonflies and Damselflies are members of the order Odonata
In general, Dragonflies rest with their wings to the side, while Damselflies are typically more slender and hold their wings together behind their back.
Skimmers – Libellulidae
This is the largest family of dragonflies in Illinois
Eyes touch on the top of their head
Typically smaller
Identified by foot shaped pattern on hind wing
Halloween Pennant Male
Celithemis epothina
Calico Pennant Male
Celithemis elisa
Eastern Amberwing Male
Perithemis tenera
Halloween Pennant Female
Celithemis eponina
Calico Pennant Female
Celithemis elisa
Eastern Amberwing Female
Perithemis tenera
Banded Penant
Celithemis fasciata
Dot-tailed Whiteface Male
Leucorrhinia intacta
Dot-tailed Whiteface Immature or female
Leucorrhinia intacta
Elfin Skimmer Female
Nannothemis bella
Elfin Skimmer Female
Nannothemis bella
Blue Dasher Male
Pachydiplax longipennis
Blue Dasher Female
Pachydiplax longipennis
Blue Dasher male 
Eastern Pondhawk Male Erythemis simplicollis 
Eastern Pondhawk Female Erythemis simplicollis 
Eastern Pondhawk male
Blue Corporal Male
Libellula deplanata
Slaty Skimmer Male
Libellula incesta
Great Blue Skimmer
Libellula vibrans
Widow Skimmer Male Libellula luctosa 
Widow Skimmer Female Libellula luctosa 
Four Spotted Skimmer Libellula quadrimaculata 
Common Whitetail Male
Libellula lydia
Common Whitetail immature
Libellula lydia
Common Whitetail immature
Libellula lydia
Common Whitetail Female
Libellula lydia
Twelve Spotted Skimmer Female
Libellula pulchella
Twelve Spotted Skimmer Male
Libellula pulchella
Red Saddlebag
Tramea ornusta
Carolina Saddlebag
Tramea carolina
Black Saddlebag
Tramea lacerata
Band-winged Meadowhawk Female
Sympetrum semicinctus
Band-winged Meadowhawk Male
Sympetrum semicinctus
Saffron Winged Meadowhawk Male
Sympetrum costiferum
Ruby Meadowhawk Pair
Sympetrum rubicundulum
Ruby Meadowhawk Female
Sympetrum rubicundulum
Yellow Legged / Autumn Meadowhawk Male
Sympetrum vicinum
White-faced Meadowhawk Male
Sympetrum obtrusum
White-faced Meadowhawk Pair
Sympetrum obtrusum
Sympetrum sp.
Aeshnidae – The Darners
Large dragonflies with eyes that meet on top of the head
Unmarked wings
Named darners for belief in their ability to sew up the ears and lips of people, particularly ill behaved children
Common Green Darner Male
Anax junius
Common Green Darner Female
Anax junius
Comet Darner Male
Anax longipes
Swamp Darner
Epiaeshna heros
Swamp Darner
Epiaeshna heros
Canada Darner
Aeshna canadensis
Gomphidae – The Clubtails and Spiny Legs
Widely spaced eyes readily identify this group.
Jade Clubtail
Arigomphus submedianus
Russet-tipped Clubtail
Stylurus plagiatus
Black-shouldered Spinyleg
Drogomphus spinosus
Cordulidae- The Emeralds and Baskettails
Large dark bodied thorax with slender abdomens,
Often with bright green eyes
Most inhabit fens, bogs, and woodland streams
Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly
Somatochlora hineana
Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly
Somatochlora hineana
Mocha Emerald
Somatochlora linearis
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps
All photos by Jen Mui and Patty Dickerson unless otherwise labeled.