Scientific Name: Pachydiplax longipennis
Order: Odonata
Family: Lidelluidae
Diet: Naiads eat aquatic insects such as mosquito larvae, mayfly larvae and freshwater shrimp. Small fish and tadpoles are also eaten. Adults eat most any soft-bodied flying insect i.e., flies, butterflies, moths, mayflies, flying ants or termites.
Vegetation Association: Found near lakes, streams and slow streams at low elevations.  Naiads live in underwater vegetation.
Predators: Birds.
Life stages: Incomplete metamorphosis; egg, nymph, adult.
Notes: They rarely sit for long periods; male usually patrol their territory.  Eyes are an iridescent green.

Photo: Taken at the Riparian Preserve at the Gilbert Water Ranch in 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.

To return to species list, close or minimize this window.