Black Pondhawk
Erythemis attala
This record describes Erythemis attala (species). Recorded family: Libellulidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to Pin-tailed Pondhawk but with a shorter, thicker abdomen.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Anisoptera
- Family
- Libellulidae (Skimmers)
- Genus
- Erythemis (Pondhawks)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Vagrant to Texas and the gulf coast states.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Erythemis attala. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Black Pondhawk (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason Forbes; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Pondhawk
What is Black Pondhawk?
Black Pondhawk (Erythemis attala) is a species in the family Libellulidae, within the order Odonata.
How do you identify Black Pondhawk?
Similar to Pin-tailed Pondhawk but with a shorter, thicker abdomen.
Where is Black Pondhawk found?
Range: Vagrant to Texas and the gulf coast states.