What Color Is a Dragonfly?

Chuck Redden/CC-BY-2.0

The dragonfly may have various color markings on its wing pattern, abdomen and cerci. Wing patterns may be clear, brown, black or orange. The abdomen may be dark blue, black or pale blue. Cerci color may be black or white.

The dragonfly may also be referred to as a devil’s arrow, darner or devil’s darning needle. There are 2,500 dragonfly species. They are characterized by long bodies and two pairs of wings that are membranous, veined and with various color markings. Front wing pairs are shaped differently than rear wing pairs. The eyes of the dragonfly take up most of its head, spanning a range of almost 360 degrees.