Male dragonflies are typically brighter in color than females of the same species, although both are similarly colored. Dragonflies are usually long and slender-bodied, and have very long wings that are held perpendicular to their bodies when at rest. Adults vary in length from 2.0 cm to 13.5 cm. The bodies of dragonflies are colorful. The eyes of dragonflies are quite large and usually occupy most of the head region, which has short, bristle-like antennae.. The long legs are used in capturing their prey and perching.

Dragonflies usually lay their eggs in or near water. Dragonfly eggs can either be long and cylindrical, or broad and elliptical. It requires anywhere from one to three weeks for these eggs to hatch. Immature dragonflies (naiads) are aquatic and breathe through gills. Naiads can range up to 5.0 cm in length, and have a modified lower jaw (labium) that they use to capture their prey. During their development, naiads can undergo between nine and 13 molts. They usually crawl away from the water before they molt into the adult stage, which usually takes from 30 to 60 minutes.

Dragonflies are found throughout the United States in just about any type of habitat.

Adult dragonflies are ferocious hunters who feed on a multitude of insects like midges, moths, bees, butterflies, other dragonflies, mosquitoes, etc. Naiads feed on a variety of small aquatic organisms.

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