FAMILY /ESCHNID/E 



This is one of the largest groups of dragon-flies, and com- 

 prises many of our largest forms. The eyes meet on top of the 

 head. In coloration and general appearance they are much like 

 the preceding families but with the majority of them the wings 

 are generally clear with only apical brown spots and sometimes 

 they are a little smoky. These large dragon-flies are abundantly 

 found all through the summer. They are among the first to 

 appear in spring and among the last to disappear in the autumn. 

 Their flight is very strong, and the large species are most ferocious- 

 looking creatures. In fact, the largest and most powerful dragon- 

 fly in the North American fauna is Epiceschna heros Fabr. One 

 of the commonest forms which may be seen in many parts of the 

 country is Anax Junius Drury. On account of the strong flight 

 of these insects they are frequently found far away from the 

 place of their birth seeking their prey in the fields and about open 

 places in the woods, busying themselves continually in the cap- 

 ture of flies and even larger insects. The male and female of 

 Anax Junius paired are common objects flying over the water. 

 The female seems to prefer to lay her eggs in stagnant pools or 

 in ponds where the surface is covered with duckweed and other 

 aquatic plants. The female submerges her abdomen in laying 

 her eggs. According to Williamson, this species appears in large 

 and compact flocks, some of them numbering several hundred 

 individuals, and they pass back and forth frequently near the 

 ground as twilight comes on, seeking especially swarms of 

 midges. 



Six genera are represented in this country, mostly the species 

 belonging to the typical genus /Eschna. 



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